BioA: Theisen, Mr. and Mrs. William F. (Diamond - 1970)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Theisen, Rief, Norton, Ward, Helm, Johnson, Betz

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co, WI) 6/18/1970

Theisen, Mr. and Mrs. William F. (Diamond - 24 June 1970)

Mr. and Mrs. William F. Theisen of Loyal observed their 60th wedding anniversary Sunday with a Diamond Jubilee Mass at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and a dinner at Amber Inn.

Six of their 10 children, and their families, joined them for the day. The others plan more extended visits in the coming months.

William F. Theisen and Mary Magdalene Rief were married at St. Francis Church, Kellnersville, on June 24, 1910.

As a teenager Mrs. Theisen had learned dressmaking in Antigo. Theisen had worked in the Chicago and Northwestern railway office in Milwaukee, beginning at $35 per month, and was earning $75 per month when he came to Loyal.

In 1919, William F. and his brother, Leo, of Manitowoc, decided to buy a hardware store. They heard about Loyal and took the train to look over the situation. Liking Loyal, the deal was closed the same day. They operated the Theisen Bros. Hardware Store for 47 years, when Leo and his son started a furniture store on the other side of the street.

At that time, William A. joined his father in the hardware business and remained until 1966. The following year the property was sold to the Citizens State Bank. The Masonic Temple now shares part of the location.

The Theisen’s raised 10 children. They are: Leo of Orlando, Fla., a graduate of Marquette School of Journalism; William A. of Loyal, a graduate of Central State Teachers College; Mrs. Jerry (Eleanor) Norton of Park Forest, Ill., a graduate of Central State Teachers College; Ray of Eau Claire, a graduate of Mrs. Morgan’s Business School; Mrs. James (Florence) Ward of South Milwaukee, a graduate of Central State Teachers College; Mrs. Fritz (Mary) Helm of Milwaukee, who attended Layton School of Art; Mrs. Jerome (Betty) Johnson of Eau Claire, a graduate of Eau Claire Vocational School; Charles of South Milwaukee, a graduate of Marquette School of Medicine; Father Jerome O.S.B., of the Benedictine Order, on sabbatical leave from Collegeville, Minn.; and Mrs. Homer (Barbara) Betz, Kirkland, O., a graduate of St. Joseph’s School of Nursing.

There are 33 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Both Mr. and Mrs. Theisen enjoy good health and keep busy with their garden and other activities.

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