Robert W. Theisen

MONONA - Robert “Bob” William Theisen, age 93, of Monona, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2025.

Bob was born in Sauk City on Friday, March 13, 1931, the son of George and Leontina (Hornung) Theisen. After graduating from Sauk City High School, Bob joined the Marines with his best friend, heading to boot camp on a record cold winter day. Bob was a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, epitomizing their motto “Semper Fidelis” - the Latin phrase for “Always Faithful.”

Bob studied Airline Operations at Central Technical Institute in Kansas City, MO and was immediately hired by North Central Airlines at Green Bay’s Austin Straubel Airport. He transferred to Truax Field in Madison where he saw the airline become Republic Airlines and later Northwest Airlines, from which he retired after 39 years.

He married the love of his life, Gertrude “Trudi” Roshardt, on July 21, 1956, at St. James Catholic Church in the Town of Vermont. The young couple settled in Monona where they became members of Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Parish and raised their three children: Tim, Tom, and Toni.  

Bob’s love of the water started as a young boy growing up next to the Wisconsin River. He enjoyed swimming, diving, water skiing, and boating. On land, he liked to garden, woodwork, downhill ski, read, play softball and cards. He was a Green Bay Packer season ticket holder for over 50 years. His family joined him in everything, including the care of their many cats (and several birds) through the years.

His love of travel, along with the perks of being an airline employee, allowed his family to visit relatives and friends across the United States and Switzerland. Highlights were their annual ski trips to Vail and Bob’s memorable Alaskan fishing trips.

Bob was a longtime member of IHM where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and festival volunteer. The Third Degree Knight helped build the “clown bikes” that he and his fellow Knights of Columbus Clowns rode in area parades to earn money for numerous charities.

Bob was a ski patroller at Devil’s Head for 30 years. His growing family joined him on the patrol at Devil’s Head as well as the hills of Wisconsin, the mountains of Colorado, and the Alps of Switzerland and Austria.

In his retirement, Bob enjoyed fixing bikes and tuning skis at the Village Pedaler which he owned with his wife after retirement. Bob and Trudi spent almost 30 winters in Green Valley, Arizona with friends.

Bob was genuinely kind. He loved God, his family, and life. He was always willing to help others. He loved a good joke and had a wonderful laugh.

Bob will be dearly missed by his children, Tim (Heather) Theisen, Tom (Jean) Theisen and Antoinette “Toni” Gomoll; five grandchildren, Emily (Blake), Steven (Erin), Jeff (Bronwyn), Laura (Bob) and Frances (Joe); five great-grandchildren, Liam, Noah, Hilde, Finola and Esme; two sisters-in-law: Hedy (Bill) Wolf and Mary Ann (Ron) Borman; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Trudi; son-in-law, Christopher Gomoll; brother, Henry (Marie); sister-in-law, Susan Roshardt; and niece, Nichole Wolf-Smith.

The Theisen family extends their sincere gratitude to the staff of St. Mary’s Health Care Center in Madison for their compassionate care and kindness to Bob.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, with Father Chad Droessler presiding. A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, January 27, 2025, and one hour before Mass at the church on Tuesday. A private entombment will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park in Monona.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s name to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420