Ione Krell Engel Theis was born July 16th, 1917 on a homestead near White Lake, South Dakota to Nick and Anna (Gardner) Krell – the seventh of eight children and was until her death the sole surviving sibling.
Ione came to Minneapolis to study cosmetology and arrived in Shakopee in 1938 employed at the “Modern Beauty Shop.”
In 1945 Ione married William A. Engel and together they operated Engel’s Bar at what now is the site of Turtle’s on First Avenue and Lewis Street.
After Bill’s death in 1955, Ione and daughter Barbara remained in Shakopee. In 1957 Ione married John A. Theis. Their son, Ted was born in 1958.
She was a caring and generous mother, and grandmother to many step grandchildren.
Ione enjoyed all forms of artistic endeavor – painting, sculpting, sewing, needlework. She served her community in leadership for the Girl Scouts and later for the Shakopee Senior Citizens Club. Ione was an active member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church for many years – music was a passion and she participated in the church choir as well as a local women’s choral group “the Harmonettes” later named New Jubilee Singers. With this group, she performed at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater and traveled abroad twice. A highlight was to sing mass at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, and the “Alleluia” in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
She lived at All Saints Senior Living from September of 2014 until her passing November 28, 2016. She is survived by and will be dearly missed by daughter Barbara Theis Hauger, son Ted J. Theis, step daughter Mary (Jim) Jaeger, grandson Ben (Cerenity) Hauger and granddaughter Caroline Hauger; many step grandchildren; many other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by her husbands, Bill Engel and John Theis; parents; brothers and sisters.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, December 16 at 12 (noon) at The Parish of Saints Joachim and Anne (St. Mark) 350 South Atwood Street, with a visitation one hour prior. Interment will be at the Shakopee Catholic Cemetery, Shakopee, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be distributed in Ione’s memory by the Theis family.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Shakopee Chapel, proudly served and cared for the Theis
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Joy Robbins
Ione was and is in memory a great, great woman–the absolute BEST! My sympathies and prayers to you and Ted, Barb, and especially to Caroline. Your mom was the best mentor and friend to me through many years in and out of Harmonettes and New Jubilee Singers, and I appreciated her honesty, exuberance, good cheer, kind heart, clear eye, steadfast support, wise advice, and STYLE! A beautiful lady and person, Ione loved a good time and has probably already established a heavenly “Hat, prop, and wine” wall in case there’s a need for costumes and a bit of frivolity!! May a lifetime of good memories console you in the loss of Ione. We are sad at her death, and happy as well in our belief she is not really gone from our lives.
Chaplain Randy
Ione was a light unto our path and a joy that filled our hearts. May her memory bring comfort and hope to her family and friends!
Chaplain Randy
All Saints Senior Living
Shakopee
Dixie Schmit
I am so sorry that I missed Ione’s memorial services.
What an incredible lady. She had such a bright mind, with so many wonderful talents that she lovingly shared with others. I loved her little smile, her gracious ways and her spunk!
My sincere condolences to her family.
Rose Doherty
Ione brought so much happiness with her when she moved to All Saints in 2014. Always willing to join in activities she played cards, Farkle, Wii Bowling, created greeting cards and always won first place at costume parties. Once she dressed up as a limping vagrant with whiskers, old hat and sagging trousers. No one recognized her and only after getting really close, face to face, did anyone realize it was Ione! Her smile lit up the room and brought joy to all. How we will miss her!
I extend sincere condolences to Barbara, Ted, Mary and the rest of Ione’s family. May we treasure these memories.
Jennifer Anne Ess Phoenix, AZ
My Grandmother was very loving and great fun. Wonderful memories of spending time at the house in Shakopee with that great backyard! I can still picture her on the back of Ted’s motorcycle. Her photo is on my refrigerator, so even though I’ve not seen her in person for some time, I see her every day. I will miss her letters every Christmas. I can’t be there for the celebration of her life, but will be there in my thoughts and prayers.