Melvin Frederick "Punk" Theisen 1925-2020

THEISEN, KIENITZ, LUEDTKE

Posted By: Barry R Huntsinger (email)
Date: 11/22/2020 at 08:56:36

Melvin Frederick Theisen, son of James “Pete” and Caroline (Kienitz) Theisen, was born on December 3, 1925 in Lakota, Iowa. Punk was baptized on July 11, 1926 at the Lakota, Iowa Presbyterian Church. He was confirmed into the Lutheran Faith on August 3, 1952 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona, Iowa. He passed away on November 13, 2020 at the Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona at the age of 94.

Punk attended his early school years in Titonka, Iowa and Bancroft, Iowa, graduating from Burt, Iowa High School in 1943. He was drafted into the US Army and inducted at Fort Snelling, Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 23, 1945. He was involved in the Signal Corps, initially stationed at Fort Monmouth New Jersey, and later transferred to Fort Lewis, Washington. He was honorably discharged on July 22, 1947.

Upon returning to Iowa, he was employed at the Ford Garage in Algona. Melvin was united in marriage to Anita Luedtke at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lotts Creek on September 7, 1952. He began working for Bennie Wibben construction in 1953, until the family moved to Fenton Iowa in 1959. He ran an egg route for Priebe’s store, and then returned to the construction trade. He was employed by several local contractors(Hantelman’s, Bruhn Builders, Groen Builders), before entering into a partnership with his nephew Alan Luedtke (T & L Builders). He retired in 1990.

Punk was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fenton, where he served as trustee. He was an active member of the Ranney-Weisbrod American Legion Post, serving as Finance Officer for 20 years. Punk enjoyed serving as a Boy Scout Leader, fishing, playing cards with family and friends, and taking drives with his wife to area lakes and wetlands to watch bird migrations and the changing seasons. He enjoyed his grandchildren. Whether it was reading stories to them when they were small or following their activities and encouraging their hobbies as they grew, he was always engaged with them.

Melvin is survived by his wife Anita Theisen of Fenton and his children Marcia (Alan) Miller of Fenton, Craig (Sally) Theisen of Granger, Iowa. Punk will be fondly remembered by his grandchildren Michelle (Derek) Bredow of Urbandale, Iowa, Heather (Roy) Green of Saint George, Utah, Ashley (Kai) Carlson of Johnston, Iowa, Brandon Theisen of Farmington Hills, Michigan, and Travis Theisen of Granger; great-grandchildren Alana Bredlow, Haddie Bredlow, Camden Carlson, and Remy Green; and sister-in-law Cher Theisen; and many nieces and nephews.

Punk is preceded in death by his parents Pete and Carrie Theisen; infant daughter Sharon Theisen; siblings Mae (Tony) Wibben, Ralph Theisen, Eugene Theisen, and Leon (Lila) Theisen.

A private family service was held with interment at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Fenton, Iowa.

(Source: Henry-Olson Funeral Home, Estherville, Iowa.)