Margery Theiss

Margery Theiss, 94, of Clear Lake, died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, at Oakwood Care Center, in Clear Lake.

Per Marge’s wishes, her body has been cremated and a Celebration of Life will be tentatively held on May 12, at the Clear Lake V.F.W.

Margery Carolyn (Ramspott) Theiss was born in St. Louis, Mo. on Oct. 4, 1922, to Clarence John and Eunice (Mehl) Ramspott.

Margery graduated from Normandy High School, in St. Louis, in 1939 and graduated from Harris Teachers College, also in St. Louis, in 1944.

After teaching in the St. Louis area for about a year and one-half, she and a couple of friends applied through the Department of Education to go to Hawaii and teach at a Navy base on the island of Maui.  It was there that she met and married the love of her life, Norman B. Theiss.  To this union three children were born, David Lien Theiss, Jaclyn Jo Theiss and Penny Ann Theiss.

After she and Norm returned to the states, Marge continued to teach while supporting Norm in college; first at St. Louis University.  The couple soon moved to Storm Lake, Iowa, where Norm attended Buena Vista College.  Over the course of her years in teaching, she covered all ages K through 12, except third and fourth grade.  She especially liked teaching Honors English in Clear Lake, where she was remembered for incorporating, “Life Values” to her students.

Forever the teacher, Marge’s children and grandchildren have the fondest of memories of grandma correcting their English during many family dining experiences.  Double negatives and sentences ending with a preposition were especially frowned upon at the Theiss table.

Margery had a passion for music and sang in church choirs and as a soloist at many weddings and funerals.  She shared that passion with her children and taught them equal appreciation for the music.  In her spare time, she volunteered at the Opportunity Village Store. She was a member and past president of her P.E.O. Chapter LE.    

She enjoyed reading, crocheting, working crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble, and sitting in on multiple different Bridge Clubs.

Margery’s life shall be celebrated by her children, David (Patty) Theiss, Jacky (Herb) Garlock, and Penny (Joel) Walde; six grandchildren, Adam (Kelly) Theiss, Abram Theiss, Amanda Theiss, Rachel Walde (Robert Popham), Peter (Paige) Walde, and Ben Walde; and six great-grandchildren, Emily Theiss, Andrew Theiss, Alexis Theiss, Oliver Popham, Ava Popham and Margery Carolyn Theiss.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Eunice Ramspott; husband, Norman Theiss; father, C.J. Ramspott; and sister, Ruth Hoover.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.