Michael Theisen
Michael was born on August 27, 1961, in Friendship, Wisconsin to Romie and Shirley Theisen. He grew up in Springville Township, Adams County, Wisconsin and graduated from Adams-Friendship High School in 1979. Michael was a standout in AFHS athletics, especially football and basketball. He lettered in four sports. He went on to play football at Rochester Community College and then Arizona State University, where he was on the ASU team that won the Fiesta Bowl in 1983. Michael loved living in Arizona and remained there for the rest of his life. He ran a floor covering installation business in the Phoenix area for decades. He was also passionate about rebuilding old trucks and raising exotic birds, including macaws and toucans. Michael loved all animals immensely and was a gentle giant around cats, dogs, birds and even wildlife. He was a fiercely independent free spirit who enjoyed pursuing life to its fullest in his desert home.
Michael is survived by his mother, Shirley Theisen, Wisconsin Dells, WI; sister, Terri Theisen, Atlanta, GA; brother, Joe Theisen (Stacy), Cottage Grove, WI; sister, Suzanne Gentleman (Dave), Tulsa, OK; and sister, Kathleen Theisen, Danbury, CT; godparent, Evelyn Barton; niece, Kelsey Gentleman Kuntz (Anthony) & their son, Sawyer, San Diego, CA; nephew and Godson, Matthew Theisen, Atlanta, GA; nephew, Shane Sustr (Niki) & their children, Kayson and Rylee Jo, Cottage Grove, WI; uncle, Mark Theisen, Montello, WI; and uncle and aunt, Carroll and Nancy Theisen, Wisconsin Rapids, WI; cousins: Sonya Holmquist and Nick Pappas, Edmond, OK; Shari and Joe Lobenstein, Albany, OR; Janet and Frank Meoni, Henderson, NV; Randy and Dawn Theisen; David Theisen;
Nicki Theisen; Paul and Vicki Theisen; Dana and Charlie Johnson; Neil and Kandy Theisen; Jack Theisen – Phoenix; Jody and John Kort; Jason and Barb Theisen; Joel and Ann Theisen; Greg and RoseMary Theisen; Melissa Theisen and Kris Wilke; and many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of cousins
Michael was preceded in death by his Grandparents – Matt and Anna Theisen; Grandparents – Gustav and Olive Holmquist; Father, Romie Theisen; Godparent, Bill Barton; Uncle and Aunt – Herb and Kay (Babcock) Theisen; Aunt – Kay (Hammond) Theisen; Aunt and Uncle – Eric and Jean Holmquist; Aunt and Uncle – Ruth and Al Heitman; Uncle – Alcuin Theisen; Cousin – Jamie Schiesl; and Nephew – Tyler Gentleman
Michael’s family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to Michael’s wonderful neighbor and friend, Marcilene, for years of assistance while he was battling cancer, and to his friend June Stine who worked tirelessly as Mike’s medical advocate. We are also grateful to Pastor Dan Callister and the First Baptist Church of Sunizona for the support they provided to Michael during his 5-year cancer battle. We are also grateful to the staff at TMC Hospice – including all of the amazing nurses, assistants, volunteers, doctors, social workers, chaplain and Father Paul – for their truly compassionate care of Michael and his family during his final days. We are grateful to Paradise Parrot Rescue for providing a caring home for Michael’s much-loved macaws. Special thanks also to Michael’s closest friends – Marcilene, June, Duke, Louise, Tonya, Mario – for their unwavering support of Michael during the most trying of times. The family has requested no flowers.
Charitable donations may be made to Paradise Parrot Rescue in Tucson, Arizona, in memory of Michael Theisen, for their ongoing care of his macaws: https://paradiseparrotrescue.org/. Charitable donations may also be made in Michael’s honor to Hospice Fund/Peppi’s House at TMC Hospice:
All are welcome to join the family for a celebration of life at a later date in the summer. A private grave-side service and interment will take place at St. Leo Catholic Cemetery Cemetery in Friendship, Wisconsin.
Sincerest sympathy for the loss to your family.
Sorry to hear that Mike has passed. He was a good guy!! My sympathy to Shirley and family.
Dear Shirley and family….there. are no words at the loss of a child….sincere sympathy…..may God place his hand of comfort over all of you. Sincerely, Dorothy Swiatly Gerke
Our deepest and sincere sympathy to the family for the loss of their family and loved one!! May God be with you!,,!,,
So very sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace.
Our prayers for comfort in your loss. May our Savior bring you peace
My most sincere sympathy to Shirley and family.
Sympathy to Shirley and all the Theisen family.
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts an prayers are with the family
So sorry to hear of Mike’s passing, sending prayers. May he rest in peace
My condolences to Mike’s family. The last time I saw him he was playing football in college in AZ, came home for the holidays, we talked about earlier adventures. Very sorry to hear this. He was a great guy besides being a great athlete. RIP Mike.
Kathy and family,
So sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. My prayers are with your family.
So sorry for your loss! Hugs and prayers to the family!
Shirley, you and your family have our deepest sympathy it is so very hard to lose a loved one, just know he is without pain. Prayers to all 🙏
Condolences to the Thiesen family.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you
We send our deepest sympathy to you all on Mike’s passing. Cherish all of your wonderful memories.
Our sincere sympathy to the Theisen family at this sad time; thinking of you all.
Sorry for your loss of your loved one. Condolences to the family.
Shirley and family,
Sending my deepest condolences on the loss of your son Michael. It is never easy to lose a child whatever their age. May God keep you in his loving hands as you go thru this terrible time.
We are so sorry to hear of your son’s passing. Prayers to your family.
Thoughts and prayers to the family. RIP Mike! No more pain or suffering.
My deepest condolences I had the privilege of knowing and loving him and love the memories he gave me rip your free from pain and have a special place in heaven
Sorry for the loss to the Theisen family. Mike was a special person.
Shirley and Family I am so sorry to hear of Michael’s passing. Seems like yesterday I was babysitting him. So many great memories!
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Theisen family, Thoughts and prayers.
My Deepest Condolences to the Theisen Family. It was a pleasure to have known Michael while I was going to school with him at AFHS. Michael was always friendly with me, and enjoyed joking with me. RIP and may God bless you.
Condolences to Mike’s family. May he RIP.
I guess life does not give you more than you can handle. Mike was special ,as an athlete and a person. I have many memories of Mike and Bill together ,seemed like you could not separate them. I hope Mike enjoyed the rest of his life,his HS years were amazing.Enjoy the everafter.
Thoughts an Prayers to all the Family May you all find Peace an Comfort !!! May you all Hold Michael close to you Hearts
Sincere condolences to the Theisen family. We haven’t seen Mike in many years, but we have never forgotten all the good times we all had thru childhood and our high school years. Lots of great memories and oh the stories we could tell. Our hearts go out to you! RIP Mike…never to be forgotten!
Shirley and family. Sending my deepest condolences during this difficult time.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Deepest sympathies to Shirley and family. Sending hugs, prayers and love to you.
Joe and family so sorry for your loss.
So sorry to hear about Michael. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Theisen family.
Dear Shirley and Family, We are sending our Deepest Condolences to you. Never easy losing a child. Heaven has gained another Angel today! He will watch over you. May Mike RIP🙏🏻
Mike led the green devils to the first conference championship as far as I know in basketball 🏀 he was the best. Never try hitchhiking with him he would never pick u up. Theisen family was so special in my life I sure wish I could of seen Mike later in in my life. Never seen the lad after high school sure loved the the Theisen family growing up! I told Joe I kicked his ass in basketball all the time they would never play me thanks coach Weiland I love you as well! My condolences to the Queen Shirley Big Daddy Joe ,Suzie Kathy, my sweetheart Terry love you all and praise the lord for taking Mike suffering for so many years! CANCER SUCKS!
Our deepest sympathy to the Theisen family. What I was able to do for him in the last 2 years showed me how strong he was through this battle. We only wish we could have done more. May he be blessed in heaven and find peace. Prayers to the family and friends who he dearly loved.
Thoughts and prayers to the entire Theisen family. Keep the memories alive in your hearts.
Great memories of Mike and his athleticism. He helped us enjoy lots of basketball wins after years and years of losing seasons. Pain free now! PTL for the ultimate healing.
My deepest sympathies to the Thiesen family. Mike was a great guy and a sweet friend. He will be forever remembered and deeply missed.
My sincere condolences to the Theisen family. RIP, Mike! It was a pleasure being your friend and playing ball with you! Nobody gave it more than you! You will be missed!
Schmitty
Shirley, the bond between a mother and son is very special! You gave Mike life, you nurtured him, taught him, and loved him unconditionally! That does not change even after death! He made you proud with his accomplishments in the community growing up. He was very athletic and loved sports! 🏈 🏀 He left you with many memories and special moments! Let those memories carry you through the dark days ahead! With all the gifts in this world 🌎 it remains that Health is the most precious ever! Very sorry for your loss Shirley. Sincere condolences as you have been a lifelong friend of our family. Love you…
I am so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. Please Know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Shirley and family, so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Sending my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mike. He was truly one of a kind guy. He will be missed by friends and family alike.
Sorry for your loss to family and friends. Lot’s of memory’s in my young life with Mike. Had lot’s of good times with Mike and family. Have lot’s of memory’s forever. Glad he doesn’t have to suffer anymore.
Sending my deepest condolences to Michael’s family. My heart goes out you all. Michael was a very special person to me and will forever be in my heart. God needed you more Michael, RIP 🖤
To the Theisen Family,
I am sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. It was alway special to play with him or compete against him. You always knew he was going to give 100%. It was always more pleasurable to play with him. I will always have good memories of Mike from our first meeting in Batam league basketball to crossing paths with him in Phoenix. May God bless him on this new journey.
My condolences to all of the family.
We send our thoughts and prayers to all of Mike’s family and friends. Our deepest and most heart felt condolences are with all.
RIP in Mike
Thoughts and prayers to the Theisen family
So sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. Our deepest sympathies to your family.
Condolences for the passing of your beloved son,brother,friend and animal guardian, Mike.
Rest in peace, my brother from another mother. Thinking back, the memories from high school and our fun and friendship together makes me smile. You were truly one of a kind. Life’s been good to me (us) so far!
Our deepest sympathy Shirley and family. Mike was a great guy. He will be missed by all. RIP Mike.
My sympathy to Shirley and all the Theisen family.
Be in peace Mike in your Heavenly home.
So sorry to hear about Mike . Our prayers are with you and your family 🙏
So sorry for your families loss.
Speachless, heartbreaking for family, friends & all who loved & cared about him. 🙏 hugs.
Sending sincere condolences to Shirley & the rest of Michael’s family.
RIP Mike, enjoy the life with no pain. You will be missed, you were loved. Blessing and prayers to the family and friends.
My Deepest Sympathy Shirley and Family. Just know he’s at peace now, and without pain. RIP Micheal.