Rev. Louis Theiss

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The Rev. Louis Carl Hilpert Theiss, 85, of Perryville died Sunday, April 3, 2011, at Independence Care Center of Perry County in Perryville.

He was born April 16, 1925, in Wittenberg, Mo., son of Paul J.E. and Clara M. Hilpert Theiss. He and Marie Anna Klaus were married June 16, 1951.

Survivors include his wife; four sons and daughters-in-law, the Rev. John and Maggie Theiss of Brooks, Alberta, Canada, David and Maxine Theiss of Farrar, Mo., the Rev. Steven and Susan Theiss of Columbia, Ill., Joel and Beth Theiss of Raleigh, N.C.; five daughters and sons-in-law, Rhoda and the Rev. David Rempfer of Blairstown, Iowa, Selma and Richard Thole of Perryville, Ruth and the Rev. Timothy Rynearson of Brookings, S. Dak., Dorothy and Jeffrey Albrecht of Imperial, Mo., Eunice and the Rev. Jose Rodriguez of Kansas City, Mo.; a brother and four sisters-in-law, Paul H.L. and Helen Theiss of Cape Girardeau, Viola Theiss of Perryville, Caroline Theiss of Glen Ullin, N.D., Elvira Roth of Wittenberg; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Irvin and Grace Klaus of San Antonio; 28 grandchildren, Elizabeth, Justin, Jeremy, Emmalynn and Joey Rodriguez, Lucas Albrecht, Emily and Amy Theiss, Michael and Sara Rynearson, Becky and Kayla Thole, Samuel (Meagan) Thole, Kristina (Robert) Stell, Paul, J'Nae, M'Leigh (fiance Drew Olsen) and Joel (fiancee Saydi Jimenez) Rempfer, Mark, Philip (Mary), Paul, Steven (Lindsay), Derek, Benjamin, Jared (Heather), Jason (Beth), Joshua (Amy) and Nathaniel (Leah) Theiss; three stepgrandchildren: Felicity (Darren) Dykstra, Seadon Rosekat and Miranda (Russell) Pammenter; 13 great-grandchildren, Kaygan and Karlyle Stell, Gerhardt, Hayden, Heinrich, Leah, Elise, Kyle, Alessandra, Luke, Abigail, Grace and Nathaniel Theiss; five great-stepgrandchildren, Rowen and Tiernan Pammenter, Hush and Shai Rosekat and Jack Dykstra; and other close extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Gilbert and the Rev. Harry Theiss; three grandchildren, Christopher Rempfer, 13; Jessica Theiss and T.J. Rodriguez.

Theiss had been a Lutheran minister at several parishes. He began his ministry in 1953. He was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Farrar.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II in the European Theater. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

He received the Christus Primus Award for Ministry from Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Mich. Parishes Theiss served were Leader, Saskatchewan; Empress and Hilda, Alberta; Duff and Fenwood, Saskatchewan; Jefferson City (Honey Creek), Mo.; Bay City (Amelith), Mich.; Odessa and Correll, Minn.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. today and 6:30 to 8:15 a.m. Wednesday at Young and Sons Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Salem Lutheran Church in Farrar, with the Rev. Roger Abernathy officiating.

Burial will be in the church cemetery with military rites provided by American Legion Post 133 and Missouri Delta Team.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Saxony Lutheran High School or family preference.