Theo Jean (Knaussman) Winzer

Theo Jean (Knaussman) Winzer, 91, passed peacefully with her husband and all of her children present at Andover Medical Center on January 27, 2023. She was born September 17, 1931 at Bethel Hospital, Newton, KS, daughter and second child of Theodore F. and Ruby (Ammeter) Knaussman. Theo Jean and her two brothers Howard (deceased) and Robert Knaussman grew up in the Burns, KS rural community.  She attended Burns schools from grade school through high school, graduating in 1949. She acquired her certification to teach elementary school after attending El Dorado Junior College in El Dorado, KS. Her teaching career began in Towanda, KS where she taught second grade from 1951-1954 then transferred to Skelly Elementary in El Dorado where she taught first grade until 1956. On December 27, 1953, she married the love of her life, Larry D. Winzer. They had three children, Sheryl (Winzer) Connell, Brett (Penny) Winzer, and Denise (Jerry) Henn. Theo Jean was a nurturing mother and inspired educator so when Denise started Kindergarten, Theo returned to education as a substitute teacher and then as a library assistant. She is survived by her husband, Larry, three children: Sheryl, Brett (Penny), and Denise (Jerry); eight grandchildren: Jessie (Rick) Riley, Libby (Tom) Sanford, Tristan Connell, Barrett Winzer, Trent (Jaza) Winzer, Adam (Katie) Henn, Abbey (Chris) Smreker, Andrew (Elizabeth) Henn; and nine great grandchildren:  Ben, Nick and Will Riley, Max Sanford, Bradley Winzer, Kadyn, Kyler and Keely Winzer, and Alice Smreker; also surviving is brother Robert (Eileen) Knaussman. A memorial visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 2, 2023 at the First United Methodist Church, El Dorado. A memorial service will be held 3:00 p.m., Friday, February 3, 2023 at First United Methodist Church, El Dorado, KS. Burial at Walnut Valley Cemetery, El Dorado, KS. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 421 W Central Ave. El Dorado, KS 67042 or Meals on Wheels, attn: Diane Felt, 720 W. Central El Dorado, KS 67042.

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