With his loving family present at his bedside, Steven “Hank” Theis, age 65, passed away peacefully on Thursday evening, December 8, 2016, at All Saints Senior Living, Shakopee, MN.
Hank was a life time resident of the Shakopee community.
The Parish of Saints Joachim and Anne (St Mark 350 South Atwood Street, Shakopee) will hold a visitation on Monday, December 12 from 3-8 pm and on Tuesday, December 13 from 9:30-10:45, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial led by Father Erik Lundgren at 11 am. Hank will be laid to rest at a private family burial at the Shakopee Catholic Cemetery. Pall bearers will be son, Charlie; sons-in-law, Todd and Teddy; brothers, Bruce, Larry, Jess and Keith.
Norbert “Nubby” and Corrine (Kerber) Theis proudly announced the first of nine children, Steven Raymond born on December 16, 1950, in Shakopee, MN. Working side by side with his parents and siblings, he quickly appreciated the benefits of farming. Through the years, Hank established a strong work ethic, that followed him a life time. Farming wasn’t work to him, it was a passion. It brought families together and provided a wonderful place call home, where you were proud to raise a family.
As a teenager, Hank, his brothers and a few selected friends formed a tug-of-war team, coached by his father, Nubby. Their determination and strength were top-notch, beating just about everyone they encounter. Hank grew up in a strong Catholic family. He attended Catholic grade school, with later graduating from the Shakopee High School in 1969.
First working as a cement finisher, Hank later started his long career as an iron worker. For many years, he worked for Danny’s Construction, before working almost 20 years for his brother Bruce at High Five Erectors.
It was through his younger brother, Jess, that Hank had his sight on another local farm girl, Sherry Pieper. She would become the love of his life. On April 12, 1980 at St. Mary of the Purification, Marystown, MN, Hank and Sherry married. They were blessed with three precious children, Sarah, Jenna and Charlie. Settling their roots first in the city of Shakopee, Hank remained true to his farming roots. Each spring and summer his garage would transform into a barn, raising chickens and ducks, with an occasional rescue of a fawn or two. In 1987, Hank and Sherry returned to the farm life, buying a farm just down the road where he grew up. Here, the family raised beef, pigs, geese, goats and were also known for their delicious sweet corn. There was always some sort of activity and the constant coming and going of people on what he called his “ranch.”
Hank was a man of tradition. He enjoyed butchering, making sauerkraut and horseradish with his family. Hank loved spending quality time at his parent’s cabin, again with family. He too enjoyed fishing, hunting and riding his Harley. One of the greatest qualities of Hank was generosity. If he only had a dollar in his pocket, somehow, Hank would end up giving you five dollars. He was a strong hearted man with a super soft teddy bear side, giving you that gentle squeeze. Hank loved giving everyone a nickname and laughter was always heard with all his one liners. Hank’s solution to fixing just about anything was with duct tape, caulk, wire or anything he could find in his shed. Hank greatest passion in life was his family as a devoted and loving husband, dad, papa, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.
Left to honor Hank’s life and vow to carry on his legacy is wife, Sherry; children, Sarah (Todd) Reis, Jenna (Teddy) Boys, Charlie (Meagan) Theis; grandchildren, Caden Hank Reis, Colby Reis, Jackson Boys, Mason Steven Boys, Easton Boys, Kendra Theis, Asher Theis, Lennox Theis; mother, Corrine Theis; siblings, Bruce (Nancy) Theis, Connie (Paul) Doepke, Larry (Solveig) Theis, Jess (Judy) Theis, Cindy (Vern) Pieper, Renee Erickson, Keith (Theresa) Theis; nieces, nephews, many loving relatives and devoted friends
Hank is preceded in death by father, Norbert “Nubby” Theis; sister, Karen Theis; nephew, Nathan Theis; and parents-in-law, Lenny and Phyllis Pieper.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Shakopee Chapel, proudly served and cared for the Theis family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
