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HELEN LOUISE HEIMER THEIS
1939 - 2017
Bio
Newspaper Article(s)
THEIS
Helen Louise Heimer Theis passed away peacefully on July 26, 2017
of natural causes. She was born in San Antonio, Texas on August 24th, 1939. She was
the third child of Herbert Frank Heimer and Janie Heimer Montgomery (née Marmon).
She graduated from Northeast High School as a member of the National Honor Society
in 1957 and continued her education at Texas Women’s College. She later graduated
from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Therapy in
1964. She married Ralph Wayne Theis, raising two children, Brian Wayne Theis
and Katherine Louise Flint (née Theis).
While her education took her in one direction, she also developed her creative
side through painting, sewing, and cooking. She had a knack for solving challenges
around the house using imaginative, resourceful means. Her children benefited from
her creativity; they always had the most skillfully executed Halloween costumes and
outfits for their talent shows and plays. She was known for having courage in her
convictions and blazing her own path.
Helen traveled with her husband and children extensively, living in The Hague,
Netherlands for two years. After leaving Europe, they settled in San Antonio,
Texas near her family. Helen worked for eight years for the Muscular Dystrophy
Association as their local patient-services coordinator. She coordinated monthly
neurology clinic visits for patients, managed patient needs and medical equipment,
coordinated and planned patient Summer Camp each year, and participated in fund
raising activities.
After her children had grown, business opportunities led her and Wayne to Alaska
for four years, then back to San Antonio, where her beloved husband passed too soon.
Helen later followed her daughter to Chaska, Minnesota. There she worked at Hazeltine
Golf Course, enjoying being near her young grandchildren in her spare time. After
returning to Texas in 1995, Helen settled in Spicewood with her daughter, her
grandchildren, and two “grandchildren-in-law” – Ran Flint, and Marvin Ortiz.
Helen is predeceased by her brother Herbert Thomas Heimer; her father, Herbert Frank
Heimer; her stepfather, Marshall Montgomery; her husband, Ralph Wayne Theis; her
son-in-law Clifford Flint; and her mother, Janie Montgomery. Helen is survived by her
son, Brian and his husband Gray Coleman of New York; and daughter, Katherine, of
Spicewood; her grandchildren, Page Flint of Seoul, South Korea; and Joseph Flint of
El Paso; her sister, Virginia Ohlenbusch of San Antonio; and numerous nieces,
nephews, and cousins. She also leaves behind a most beloved cat, Earl Grey, who was
her constant companion in her final years.
Helen gave to good causes throughout her life, donating to the Smithsonian, the USO,
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Heifer International, the Humane Society,
National Public Radio, Marble Falls High School Choir, and Habitat for Humanity, to
name a few.
The family will hold a private memorial on August 5th, with interment at the Coker
Cemetery in San Antonio at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests
contributions to be made to Habitat for Humanity or a charity of choice.
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