Olive J. Theisen

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Theisen, Olive J. Dr. Olive J. Theisen, age 86, of Frisco, Texas passed away on August 19, 2017. She was born on June 4, 1931 in Fairbault, Minnesota to Edward and Pearl (Holt) Jacobson. Ollie was a beacon of light to every soul she encountered. She embodied kindness, generosity, and selfless love. She was a constant source of encouragement and support for her family and friends. She always brought humor and a positive outlook when challenged with difficult situations. She was a long time member of St. Philips Episcopal Church in Frisco and an active participant in the church choir. She brought her artistic and musical talents to many congregations throughout her lifetime. Ollie was a true philanthropist. Olive received her PhD in Art Education from the University of Minnesota in 1969. She taught art for over forty years at all levels from elementary to graduate school, including in the Harlem area of New York City and South St. Paul, Minnesota. She was an associate professor at Texas Tech University and founded the Art Department at Northeast Texas Community College in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. She received many honors for her teaching including the 1990 Outstanding Art Educator, Higher Education by the Texas Art Education Association and the National Art Education Association. She was awarded the Piper Professor for Art Education in 1991 by the Minnie Stephens Piper Foundation. Ollie was named Professor Emeritus of Northeast Texas Community College. Through a "serendipitous event" she rediscovered a long forgotten mural of John Thomas Biggers. She subsequently developed a long friendship with John and Hazel Biggers and re-introduced his works to a new generation. She authored and illustrated numerous works including three published books about the works of Biggers: The Murals of John Thomas Biggers: American Muralist, A Life on Paper: The Drawings of Lithographs of John Thomas Biggers, and Walls That Speak: The Murals of John Thomas Biggers. She is survived by her children, Erik Jensen and wife Esabel of Phoenix, Arizona; Lisa Murray of Frisco, Texas; grandchildren, Thor Gutierrez-Jensen and fiancé Katie Machingo; Jeremy Gutierrez-Jensen and wife Ami; Chris Murray and Kristin Murray; her brother, John Jacobson and wife Kathy Mitchell of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; nephew, J. F. Jacobson and niece, Shari O'Brien. Olive is preceded in death by her husband, John Theisen, and her parents. She will be greatly missed by all of the lives she touched. A Visitation will be held at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 8520 Main Street, Frisco, Texas 75033, on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A Funeral Service will be held at St. Philip's Episcopal Church, 6400 Stonebrook Parkway, Frisco, Texas 75034, on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at 2:00 PM. Interment will follow at Ridgeview West Memorial Park, 7800 Sanctuary Drive, Frisco, Texas 75033.

Published on August 23, 2017