Mrs. Vuokko Kaarina “Karen” Theisen (née Eskola) was called by the Lord of Life on June 30, 2026, after an illness.
Vuokko was born in the village of Eskola in the “county” of Kannus, Finland, on Nov. 26, 1947, to Joonas and Lempi (Lager) Eskola. At the age of 5, Vuokko immigrated to the United States with her family. Vuokko was proud of her Finnish heritage and her American citizenship. She visited Finland several times to reconnect with family.
Vuokko grew up in Fitchburg, Mass., and was a 1966 graduate of Fitchburg High School. “Karen” then completed her studies at Maison de Paris College of Cosmetology in Camden, N.J.
Vuokko met her husband, Francis “Frank” Theisen, while he was stationed at Fort Devens, Mass., serving in the U.S. Army. They married on March 11, 1967, at Messiah Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in Fitchburg, where Vuokko had been a member and received her confirmation. Vuokko and Frank made their home in Runnemede, N.J., with their two children, Melanie and Craig.
Vuokko was an active member of her church, Trinity Lutheran, and an involved member of her community. She served the Runnemede Ambulance Corp. as PTO president and participated in many community events for over 30 years.
An entrepreneur at heart, Vuokko opened Beauty Bay Hair Salon and worked as a “Beautician on Wheels” — serving the elderly and shut-ins. She also ran a personal shopper business and worked in admissions at a local hospital.
Vuokko loved to travel and explore with her family. The ocean would always draw them. A family vacation brought them to the place they would choose for retirement, Chincoteague Island.
Vuokko once again immersed herself in the community. She drove the trolley on the island for several years and sold her window paintings to people all over the United States as they visited the island. These paintings truly embraced her artistic gifts. The sunflowers were the most popular. Vuokko was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in Salisbury, Md. Recently, she attended St. Luke’s Chapel, a mission church of Immanuel Lutheran-Missouri Synod on Chincoteague Island.
She always had her doors open for anyone to drop in for a cup of coffee. She enjoyed hosting dinner parties in her home. She was an active member of Village Neighbors, extending her love for others whenever they were in need of help.
Vuokko was predeceased by her parents, a sister, and two brothers.
She leaves behind her loved husband of almost 60 years, Frank; her daughter, Melanie Johnson (Perry), of Lake of the Ozarks, Mo.; her son, Craig (Stephanie), of Williamstown, N.J.; her grandchildren, Amy, Emily, Lindsay, Gavin, CJ, and Skylar; her sisters, Maiju Balas, of Plymouth, Mass., Ellen Eskola, of Fitchburg, Mass., and Linda Forte, of Worcester, Mass.; her brother-in-law, Robert Theisen (Judy), of Alloway, N.J.; James Warakois, of Boston; a sister-in-law, Lynda Eskola, of Treadway, Tenn.; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Services were held at Christ United Methodist Church, Chincoteague, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8. There was a visitation at the church two hours prior to the service of Christian burial. Inurnment will take place at the columbarium of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Chincoteague, at a later date following cremation.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Vuokko’s memory to Bethany Lutheran Church in Salisbury, Md., bethanylutheransalisburymd.com; St. Luke’s Lutheran Chapel in Chincoteague, stlukesctg.org; or KFUO Radio in St. Louis, kfuo.org
Services were entrusted to Salyer Funeral Home, Inc., on Chincoteague Island. Online condolences may be made at www.salyerfh.com
