On November 28, 1928, Howard Allen Theimer was born on a farm in Western Kansas, the youngest of five children. Dad loved to tell the story of how he was meant to be a Benjamin, but on his baptismal date his older sister Elsie prevailed with her choice of Howard. Elsie had a crush on the young doctor who had come to deliver Dad. His name just happened to be Howard.
Dad was raised by a mother and father who loved the Lord. Evening devotions as a family were a part of their daily routine and Dad told the story of how he partially learned to read by sounding out the words when it was his turn to read the Bible. Farm life in the 1930’s and 1940’s was full of good times as well as struggles and Dad enjoyed sharing stories of his growing up years. The last night he was alert we sat up all night as a family listening to him retell many of his family stories.
In October 1950, Dad began his service in the Korean War. While serving on the USS Essex, USS Princeton, and the USS Mansfield he traveled throughout the Pacific. He enjoyed sharing stories of his visits to Japan during this time and always had a fondness for the Japanese people and their way of life. When Dad returned to the States, he completed his degree at Fort Hays State and Wichita State. It was around this time that he met his soon to be wife, Grace, and on August 24, 1958, they were married. Beginning in 1959 their family started to grow with the birth of their children Sheryl, Valarie, and Lowell.
Howard’s wife Grace had a beautiful singing voice and Dad took much joy in listening to her sing. She blessed their church, Gloria Dei Lutheran, with her singing for years. Dad served his church family for decades through his service as a member of the board, member of the finance committee, and as the church treasurer. Howard was a member of Gloria Dei for over 60 years. Over the years close, lifelong friendships were formed and the “lunch bunch” as they came to be known had regular times of fun and fellowship. In later years, Dad enjoyed meeting with church friends on Tuesday mornings for coffee and fellowship.
Howard started his career as an IRS agent but moved within a couple of years to the original Fourth National Bank and Trust Company. He worked for the bank his entire professional career in internal auditing and as an investment banker. He was a member of the IMA (Institute of Management Accountants) and held the banking exam recognition. He was skilled in his ability to invest in the market, and he enjoyed doing tax work on the side.
A couple of nights a week, Dad would stop on his way home from the bank at the VFW or Bigs for a game of pool and a martini with friends. Many of the friendships that began in those years remained friendships in his later years as well.
Fond memories of a father wrestling on the living room floor after dinner with his small children grew into memories of annual camping trips in Colorado with his son; and invites to have lunch downtown with their Dad at the bank for his daughters. Dad, affectionately known as “Papa” with the birth of his grandkids, was an engaged Grandad and was remembered by his grandkids as a juggler, a “Zoo Trip” companion, and a great babysitter. He will always be remembered fondly with a morning New York Times crossword, cup of dark roast coffee, and a grandchild in his lap. Those early puzzle times helped to instill a love of words, language, and reading with his grandkids.
Some of Dad’s favorite memories were of large family gatherings when his five siblings and their families would gather for a holiday in Western Kansas. As he aged, he enjoyed the same with his three kids and their families when they gathered several times a year.
Howard is survived by his three children, Sheryl, Valarie, and Lowell, their spouses Jim and Marlene; his grandchildren Josh, Jennifer, Lara, Seth, Taylor, Grace, and Cera and their families including his great grandchildren Faith, Aden, Jennah, Brenden, Dimitri, Dominic, Liam, Alys, Adam, and Isla (due in March). He is also survived by a brother Walter, sister-in-law Ruth, and brother-in-law George, as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, father, wife Grace Jeanine and a great granddaughter Wren Emerson. He died at home with his family caring for him after a short illness. He loved his home of sixty-four years and was able to remain there in spite of the macular degeneration that took his sight. Howard loved his earthly home, friends, family, and was heard to say often “Life is good.” We have faith that because of his Faith, Howard now resides in his new heavenly home. We look forward in hope to a future large family gathering in heaven. God’s servant, Howard Theimer, he served his family and his country well. He will be missed.
Services will be Saturday, March 5th at 11:00 AM at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Wichita, KS. Visitation will precede the service at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church beginning at 10:00 AM.
Memorials have been established with Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and the American Macular Degeneration Foundation.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ResthavenMortuary-Cemetery.com for the Theimer family.
