The Mass of Christian Burial for Arnold Theisen of Wadena, was celebrated at 11 a.m.. on Tuesday, August 29, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Bluffton, with Father Gabriel Walz and Father Eugene Theisen as celebrants.

Arnold, age 97, passed away on August 22, 2023, after a short stay at Fair Oaks Lodge in Wadena. 

Arnold Nicholas Theisen was born one of 13 children to William and Elizabeth (Anderson) Theisen on June 6, 1926, in Compton Township, Otter Tail County.  He completed country school and later as a young man went on to serve in the U.S. Army. He served during WWII from 1945 until his honorable discharge as an MP (military police) in 1946. He later became a proud member of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Arnold was united in marriage to Loretta Margaret Wegscheid on October 11, 1954, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wadena.  They raised their nine children in the Bluffton-Wadena area, where Arnold farmed. Many community members will also remember him as an electrician serving a wide area.

Preceding Arnold in death were his wife Loretta (2011); son, Kenneth (2016); parents, William and Elizabeth; siblings; Ralph (Eleanor) Theisen, Leo (Loretta) Theisen, Philip (LaVonne) Theisen, William Theisen, Kenneth Theisen, Lloyd (Millie) Theisen, Loraine (Vernon) Larson, Ruth (Larry) Baron and Betty Cullen; brother-in-law, Jerry Mathiesen; and sister-in-law, Carol Theisen.

Forever remembering Arnold will be his children: Vicki (Dave) Chesney of Hancock, Mich.,  Suzy Theisen of Perham,  Bonnie (Ron) Price of Verndale,  Bob (Teresa) of New York Mills, Dennis (Judy) of Wadena,  Mary (Tom) Patron of New York Mills, Anita (Mike) Hietpas of Kaukauna, Wis., and Annette Siegel of Kimberly, Wis.;  25 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren; siblings, Paul Theisen, Veronica Mathiesen and Delores (Gene) Guthmueller; sister-in-law, Irene Theisen; along with a host of family, neighbors and friends.

Honorary pallbearers were all of Arnold’s grandchildren. Serving as pallbearers were Joseph Theisen, Kyle Theisen, Nicholas Price, DJ Theisen, Bryce Hietpas, Tim Theisen, Adam Patron and Tyler Patron.

Military honors were provided by MNAGHG and the Elmer Goche Post 3922, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wadena, MN.

Burial was next to his wife in St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Bluffton, MN.

The family extends deep gratitude to The Meadows of Wadena, Fair Oaks Lodge and Knute Nelson Hospice for all the thoughtful care Arnold received.

Memorials in Arnold’s name may be directed to Knute Nelson Hospice. www.knutenelson.org/donate or 618 Jefferson St. N, Suite 2, Wadena, MN 56482

Arrangements with the Schuller Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services’ Johnson-Schuller Chapel, Wadena, (www.SchullerFamilyFH.com)