Helga Theoharis

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Helga Gretchen Theoharis on March 5th, 2025. Helga passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family. She was our beloved heart. Wife to Peter. Mom to Phaedra, Mark, and Helena. And Oma to Miles, Emily, Henry, Maggie, and Peter.

Born on September 15th, 1938 in Hamburg, Germany, she came into the world during a time of war and grew up in the shattered remains of a conquered land. While her father was a prisoner in the Soviet Union, she, her mother, and her siblings lived as refugees, struggling to survive, yet still able to create a childhood of happy memories and lifetime friendships.

When she was old enough she left home and moved to Switzerland in search of opportunity, then to the United States where she was an au pair to a family in Boston, Massachusetts. It was there she met the man she would marry and raise a family with. Together, they would spend the next 60 years together.

Helga loved her family above all things, and spent her life creating a home where everyone could feel comfortable and safe. In her life she was a seamstress, computer programmer, receptionist, retail manager, athlete, and performer. She loved music, sewing, singing, her garden, her pets, flowers, the company of good friends, and the Gemütlichkeit when all such things came together.

Helga was preceded in death by her mother, Margaretha, her father, Heinrich, and two of her brothers: Dieter and Gunther. She is survived by her brother Peter, her sister Christa, her husband, three children, and five grandchildren.

A memorial gathering will be held on April 15th at 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Grand Street Cafe, in Lenexa. Messages and condolences may be sent to 15304 West 93rd Terrace, Lenexa, KS 66219.