Francis Theis

Former Hastings resident, Francis "Fran" E. Theis, 88, passed away Sunday, April 26, 2015 at Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home in Bellevue, Nebraska.

Rosary will be Wednesday, April 29, 2015; 6:30 P.M. at Butler Volland Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, April 30, 2015; 10:00 A.M. at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church with Father Joseph M. Walsh officiating. Burial with military rites will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings. Memorials may be given to your favorite charity or to Hastings Catholic Schools Trust. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 29, 2015; 1:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home, and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Francis (Fran) Theis died peacefully in the loving company of his family who were inspired by the grace and courage he exhibited throughout his life, but especially during his challenging later years. He was loved by all his caregivers for his sense of humor and grateful kindness. Fran was born Aug. 16, 1926, in Heartwell, Nebraska to Frank and Hedwig (Hattie Gilsdorf) Theis, the third of ten children. Mr. Theis graduated from Lawrence High School, Lawrence, Nebraska in 1944 and joined the United States Army Air Forces where he served as an airplane mechanic and cook. After the war ended he settled in Hastings. In 1946 he married his high school sweetheart Rose M. Mazour in a double wedding ceremony at Lawrence's Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Rose's brother Ervin Mazour and his wife Erma Gilsdorf. Fran was devoted to his family and loved taking road trips with them often to Colorado. After their children were grown he and Rose took numerous trips around the globe with their many friends. Fran worked as a mechanic and transmission specialist at Kerr Chevrolet until 1975 when he ventured out on his own and opened his first auto care center in Hastings. He subsequently opened a second Theis Service Center in Hastings and later a third location in Grand Island. He was an owner/partner of Pumpers gas, carwash, convenience store and Baskin Robbins of Grand Island. He was certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and taught auto mechanics classes at Central Nebraska Technical College in Hastings. He was always on call for anyone needing emergency help with a car, even on holidays. Fran was a lifelong member of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church where he served as an acolyte and frequent volunteer. He also served as a St. Cecilia School volunteer including driving the bus to sporting events and keeping the buses in good mechanical condition. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus. Fran and Rose loved playing duplicate bridge with their many friends and achieved Life Master status with the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL). They managed St. Cecilia's Duplicate Bridge Club for many years, raising funds which were donated to the school. Fran had an avid interest in the stock market from a young age. He was a member of "Twenty Grand Investors" investment club for several decades where he honed his skills as an astute analyst and stock picker.

Fran was preceded in death by Rose his beloved wife of 61 years, his infant daughter Susan and his son Jeffrey. He was also predeceased by his parents, grandson John Stark, brothers Robert and Donald Theis and sisters Mary Marian, Jeanne Brusnahan and Ann Marie Theis (infant).

SURVIVORS:
Son:
John Theis - Omaha, NE
Daughters & Son-in-law:
Shirley & Dr. Jack Stark - Omaha, NE
Patricia Thomas - San Jose, CA
Janet McGee - Omaha, NE
Brother:
James Theis (Nelma) - Topeka, KS
Sisters:
Delores Gibbs (John) - Burlingame, CA
Alice Pumila (Luke) - Omaha, NE
Kathleen Everett - Omaha, NE
Grandchildren:
Jason Theis (Caity)
Nick Stark (Liz)
Sarah Koenig (Mike)
Ben Burleson (Heather)
Suzy Mesmer (Aaron)
Taylor Theis
Emily Rose Theis
Brad Theis
Great-Grandchildren:
Mason Koenig
Corbin Koenig
Lilly Koenig
Parker Koenig
Jackson Koenig
Adam Stark
Willa Rose Burleson
Many lifelong friends