Bruce Theissen

Bruce Albert "Pops" Theissen passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 23, 2025. He was born on December 18, 1951, to Buck and Ruth Theissen. Bruce grew up with his three sisters in Rhineland, MO, and graduated from St. George High School in 1970. After high school, he attended Southwest Missouri State, where he "almost" graduated—but more importantly, met the love of his life, Judy Garrett. They were married on November 26, 1976, in Caney, KS, and made their first home in Tulsa, OK. In 1979, they moved to Oklahoma City, where their children, Todd and Tracy, were born and raised.

Bruce spent his career in sales, retiring from Hoidale Co. in 2021. While his work provided for the family, his true priorities were always Judy, the kids, and—later in life—his faith in Jesus, which grew as he supported and championed Todd and Tracy in their ministries and work for the Lord.

Bruce loved watching sports- especially those played by his children as they grew up, and most recently, by his grandkids. For over 35 years, he bet weekly on football games with his brother-in-law, Pat Hawver. Bruce was known for telling the best stories, making sure everyone had a drink, never missing a HICCUP golf tournament, and being a friend to everyone in the room- even if he didn't remember your name.

A great joy in Bruce's life came from a vision of Judy's that began in 1997 and grew into an annual couples' golf trip with their closest friends- friends who became more like family. Even after the hardest day of his life in 2011, when he suddenly lost Judy, he has leaned on those friendships every year since.

His proudest achievement was living into the name "Pops," which took root in 2010 when his first grandson was born. He fully embodied that role when his basketball team of five grandsons was completed in 2016.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Judy. He is survived by his son, Todd Theissen and wife Paige of Oklahoma City and their boys, Bryce, Reid, and Parker; his daughter, Tracy Breit and husband Danny of Rockton, IL, and their boys, Garrett and Connor; as well as his sisters, Sharon (Matt) Wright, Mary Beth (Pat) Hawver, and Jeanne (Rick) Enna, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Pops left a mark everywhere he went and will be missed by everyone who knew him. Now he lives on in our stories. Please bring your favorite Bruce story and join us for a come-and-go memorial gathering on Wednesday, October 29, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Earlywine Golf Course in Oklahoma City, OK, or a Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, November 1, at 3:00 p.m. at Valentine Hall in Starkenburg, MO. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Win Foundation (https://win.foundation/).

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