Alice Louise Theis, 88, of Leavenworth, peacefully passed away Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Twin Oaks Health and Rehab, surrounded by her family. Alice was a devoted farmwife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother whose life was deeply rooted in her family, her faith and her community.
She was born March 6, 1938, in Leavenworth, Kansas, the oldest child of Cloyd E. and Mary Alice (Hund) Heim. Alice attended the Hund District Number 40 one-room schoolhouse through the eighth grade, then graduated from Immaculata High School in 1956.
On May 4, 1957, Alice married Edmund John Theis at St. Joseph Carmelite Church in Leavenworth. Together, they farmed for 63 years, building a life centered around their family and the land and livestock they loved. Edmund preceded her in death on April 23, 2021.
Alice took great pride in caring for those around her. She prepared the best lunches and ensured anyone working at the farm was well fed. You could always find a basket of snacks available for family, friends or anyone who stopped by. Her kitchen was a place of welcome, and feeding people was one of the many ways she showed her love and generosity.
Alice dedicated much of her life to her family and to serving her community. She was the community leader of the Happy Hollow 4-H Club for 25 years and was instrumental in establishing the Leavenworth County 4-H Livestock Premium Auction at the Leavenworth County Fair.
In addition to the many responsibilities of being a farmwife and raising her family, Alice worked for the Leavenworth Catholic Schools and as a budget analyst for the Department of Defense, Combined Arms Center, Deputy Chief of Staff for Resource Management. She retired in March 2006.
Alice is survived by her five children, Mark (Kathy) Theis of Leavenworth, Lawrence (Nancy) Theis of Leavenworth, Joe (Denise) Theis of Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, Jerry (Tonya) Theis of Leavenworth and Paula (Ronnie) Poff of Leavenworth; one brother, Eugene (Melissa) Heim of Easton; 17 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Cloyd and Mary Alice Heim; her husband of 63 years, Edmund; her brothers, John Heim and Donald Heim; her sister, Helen Stewart; and sisters-in-law Carol Heim, GeriAnne Heim and Rita Heim.
Visitation, beginning with the praying of the rosary, will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the R.L. Leintz Funeral Home.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 9, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Twin Oaks Health and Rehab Activity Fund or St. Joseph Catholic Church.
