Merle Theis
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On November 8, 2021 @ 11:20 am In 2021,Obituaries | 14 Comments
Merle Elmer Theis, age 60, of Shakopee, MN, passed away on Thursday, November 4, 2021, from COVID-19, at the University of Minnesota Hospital, in Minneapolis, MN.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, November 26, 2021 at 5:00 PM with a time of gathering from 3:00 – 5:00 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (833 S. Marschall Rd.) in Shakopee. Mask are required per family’s request.
Family and friends who can’t attend in-person are invited to stream the service at the following link: Merle Theis Service (Meeting ID: 878 3346 9534 / Passcode: 214738).
Merle was born to Dorothy and Elmer Theis on May 4, 1961 and was raised on a farm in Marystown. He was a very hard worker and proved to be quite Ingenious at problem solving from a very young age. Merle’s spatial abilities were off the charts and his knack for fixing the unfixable gained him much loyalty among his employers, his family, and his friends. It seems EVERYONE has a Merle story of how he helped them out. Whether it was to fix something, advice on a purchase, or a computer technology question, he typically had a good answer, or at least a long-drawn-out opinion full of technical terminology enough to make your head spin.
Merle gained this same recognition at Hennepin Tech, where he graduated with honors with an associate degree in Applied Science and Network Administration Analyst in 2005. Merle was on the National Dean’s list and belonged to Phi Theta Kappa Society.
Merle met his wife Kris when he was in his early 20s and that was it – they have been soulmates ever since. Married in 1992 in the mountains of Wyoming, they have had a wonderful life together, starting out in downtown Shakopee, moving to Eden Prairie for several years, and then back to Shakopee, buying the home that Kris grew up in where they have lived the last 19 years. Merle made many improvements in the homes they lived in, a perfectionist and getting “wows” from all who visited. He had an eye for design and incredible vision for the potential of spaces, whether a run-down room or an empty plot of land.
Merle loved working at Shutterfy, where he was well respected as THE “Go To Guy” in all departments and made many friends there. Merle was a gun enthusiast, loved feeding birds in the back yard and enjoyed riding his motorcycle with Kris.
Kris and Merle loved to travel and have been on many fabulous trips. Their first major destination was to Italy in 2008 and they loved it so much they went back again a few years later. Paris was another favorite international trip in 2015. Ireland was on the docket but was unfortunately planned for spring of 2020 so was not to be. Domestic travel included Colorado, Utah, and Northern California.
Forever loved and forever missed by wife, Kris (nee Fonder); siblings, Carol (Norm) Wegner, Nancy (fiancé Dan) Latzke, Bob (Kris) Theis, Rita Theis, Elaine Theis, Alan (Kelly) Theis, Dean Theis, Pat (Cynthia) Theis; mother-in-law, Helene Fonder; extended family and many friends.
Merle is preceded in death by parents, Elmer and Dorothy Theis; brothers-in-law, Bob Latzke, Jim Hanchett; father-in-law, Art Fonder and sister-in-law: Mary Fonder.
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Kris,
Merle was such a great friend to us all and our hearts break for you and family! He has been such a constant in all our lives for a very long time and he will be truly missed! The love you two have is constant and forever! I am sure he will never be too far away! All my love friend!
Brenda Vizenor Brenny
Merle will be missed. We stayed close. I will miss that phone call with him saying hey old man what you up to. He was such a giving person by helping with anything you needed. I will miss my friend. I also know how much he loved his wife Kris. Another saying I will miss when we were going to do something he would say I will check with the old lady and let you know. I am going to miss him very much. If I needed an answer to anything he could always help or answer my question. Very smart and good friend. So sorry for your loss Kris and your families.
Merle hired me back on 8/3/2020 at a time I needed it most… I was and am grateful for that… I miss him calling me old man (Merle was older) I also miss our conversations of our youth and the stupid stuff we did, laughing, all most one upping each other… what I’ll miss the most is a what I consider a friend…
I am so sorry Kris for your loss. I just lost my husband 3 years ago; it will be in Jan,uary. No one knows the empty feeling you have When until you lost a spouse.
I admired Merle, being a friendly, humorous friend and cousin.
My condolences to the Theis and Fonder families. Merle always had a smile on his face. Working with Merle at Shutterfly was so enjoyable. He always had a solution and was very multi-faceted. He loved the people he worked with and always willing to offer a helping hand. Merle always let me know about projects he was working on outside of work, and doing it right was important to him. Man, he will be missed!
Kris, I was so saddened to learn of Merles passing. I know you were wonderful for each other. I heard so much about Merle from your friends and from Brenda. My heart goes out to you and prayers and love to you. K owing so many people care and can share memorials with you can help you heal. Love you Kris.
Kris, I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and your whole family. during this difficult time and the months to come. Take comfort in all the memories you and Merle created and know that he is always with you.
Kris sorry to here of your loss Merle will be greatly missed buy myself and a lot of others he was a good friend and helped me see the future he built my first computer that opened my eyes and mind to the big world at my fingertips I am forever grateful for that. I have missed spending time at the range with Merle it’s hard to be leave he is gone to his final resting place Heaven.
I had the privilege of meeting and knowing Merle while working together at Shutterfly. Merle had a solution to virtually any problem and was well known at the Shakopee facility. I’m sending strength, healing and peace to family, friends, and all who knew and loved Merle.
Hi Kris, With a heavy heart I am sending this message to you. First and foremost, My Heart felt Condolences to you and your Family. I always cared about you and Merle and I always will. I pray for you that in the hours, days, months and years start to pass. That you find your peace and happiness. Take Care Virgil
Sorry for your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this time of grief
John & Laura Wall
Merle will be greatly missed at Shutterfly as yes he was the go-to-guy. His tireless dedication to the job, innovation and always knowing someone who could help out were among the hallmarks of his time here. He knew everything and we’re about to find out just how much.
Bryan B
Kris & Family,
I had the privilege of working with Merle for many years. He was one of the kindest people I have ever met.
Merle was also a great communicator and I always enjoyed talking with him about work stuff, and life in general.
I will miss my friend /customer Merle very much!
My thoughts & prayers are with you Kris and the entire Theis Family.
Bill Wall
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Kris,
Our hearts are broken with Merle’s passing. He was so brilliant, funny and caring and yes he will be missed by so many. We are all here for you and love you so much. Take care.
Nancy & Dan