Helen Elizabeth Theis, 97 of Idaho Falls, formally of Venice, Florida, passed peacefully on October 22, 2015 at Moring Star Senior Living. She was born May 21, 1918 in Chicago, Illinois to Elizabeth and George Richter, she had three brothers who preceded her in death. She graduated from Forman High School in 1936 and went to work for A. B. Dick Company in Chicago, where she worked until she was married.
On December 27, 1941 she married Anthony W. Theis. They had known each other for 11 years, and after Pearl Harbor decided to tie the knot. Tony enlisted in the Army Air Corps at the start of WW II. He and Helen traveled to Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma for his training. Helen worked as a journalist and wrote articles for newspapers in the various towns where Tony was stationed. She especially enjoyed working full time for the Altus Times in Altus, Oklahoma and went back in the 1950's to see some of the people she had worked with during the war.
After the war was over they returned to Chicago to start their family. Helen enjoyed sailing on Lake Michigan with family and friends and was always happy to have guests on their boat. After raising her two children she went back to work in 1968 and continued working until 1980 when she retired. In the winter she and Tony could be found at the local ice skating rink as she skated well into her 60's.
In 1984 they went to Colorado to visit their children and they learned how to ski. They left Chicago and moved to Osprey, Florida in 1984 and started their retirement life. Helen and Tony enjoyed boating and traveled around Florida on their boat. They really enjoyed going to the Florida Keys with "Flotillas" of their friends boats. They took up Golf and Helen enjoyed playing golf with her friends as well as her husband. She played golf into her 90's and could be found on the golf course twice a week.
Helen enjoyed traveling and had made trips to Europe, Hawaii, Alaska and many trips to the Caribbean for sailing and snorkeling. She enjoyed road trips traveling around the United States and made her last road trip in July of 2015, with her son and daughter. She enjoyed the change of scenery, stopping at various restaurants and parks, and visiting family.
Helen is survived by her son Larry A. Theis of Venice, Florida, and daughter Linda Theis-Caliva (Robert Caliva) of Idaho Falls, grandsons Anthony Caliva of Spokane, Washington, Daniel Caliva of Ogden, Utah, and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews.
Service will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 270 N. Placer in Idaho Falls, on November 5, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. Online condolences may be left at www.buckmillerhann.com.
Service Details.
Service
When:
Thursday, November 5th, 2015
Location:
Funeral Home
Address: