Elaine Nowicki Theisen Obituary

Elaine Nowicki Theisen, 73, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on July 27, 2026.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Memorial services will be held on Friday, August 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 201 Church Street, St. Joseph. Please feel free to visit Elaine’s online guestbook at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Born on April 16, 1953 in Hamtramck, Michigan, Elaine moved with her parents and siblings to Rochester Hills as a young girl. She graduated from Rochester Adams High School in 1971 and, following family tradition, attended Michigan State University to pursue her passion for learning, earning a degree in Education.

After college, Elaine began teaching special education for the River Valley School System in New Troy, where she met her husband Tim Theisen. After two years teaching, she transitioned to Whirlpool, working in accounting for seven years while also obtaining a Master’s degree from Indiana University South Bend. Elaine and Tim married on May 14, 1983 and raised their three sons in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

True to her giving nature, Elaine was a prodigious volunteer who loved helping others. She devoted countless hours volunteering at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School (formerly Lake Michigan Catholic), pitching in with everything from ticketing middle school volleyball games to facilitating S.C.E.N.E Auctions. Girls on the Run, Twin Cities Area Catholic Schools Fund, Senior PGA Tour at Harbor Shores, and Whirlpool Golden Eagles were just some of the other organizations that experienced her generous spirit. Elaine was a common sight around St. Joseph, Michigan with one of the three puppies she raised for Leader Dogs for the Blind. Following the example of her father Eugene S. Nowicki, she also served on the Hagar Township Planning Commission for over 37 years and volunteered as a poll worker for numerous elections.

Elaine loved being with people and spread joy wherever she went. In her free time, she cheered for the Michigan State Spartans (attending most home football games for over 40 year!), gardened, kayaked, cooked meals for others, and cherished the magnificent sunsets of Southwest Michigan.

Elaine is preceded in death by her parents Eugene and Virginia. Elaine is survived by her husband Tim Theisen; her three sons, Ted Theisen, Tom Theisen, and Terence Theisen, her daughters-in-law, Ashley Theisen (Tom’s wife), and Michelle Lissner (Terence’s wife); grandsons, Louis Theisen and Archer Theisen; and her siblings Kathleen (Michael) Schwartz and Bob (Judy) Nowicki, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

Contributions can be made to the Community Foundation of Greater Rochester, in memory of Elaine Nowicki Theisen for the benefit of the Eugene S. Nowicki Park and/or the Twin Cities Area Catholic Schools Fund.Those wishing to share a memory or a photo are eternally invited to send to elainetheisen@gmail.com.