Theodor Reinhold Herbert Mrochen

Theodor Reinhold Herbert Mrochen, known as “Theo” (pronounced “Tayoh”) to his German friends and family and as “Ted” to his American friends, passed away peacefully at Peace Hospice in Great Falls on August 28, 2023, at the age of 87.
Theodor’s story began in Hannover, Germany. His childhood was very difficult given that he grew up during World War II and the postwar period. His father was seldom home because of being called out for refrigeration repair. His mother had to take him and his brother, Peter,to a brick factory outside the city of Hannover to keep them safe from the constant bombing. At nine years old, he returned with his family to find a city in rubble which became his playground. His fondest memory was when the American troops came into the city and handed out food boxes, sweets and chocolate bars.

In his late teens, Theodor began his training at the Hannover Watch Making School and his journeymanship under Master Watchmaker H. Weber in Wunsdorf. He often shared how he struggled to travel through rain and snow for an hour three times a week by bicycle and train.
In October 1954, at the age of 18, he became a Master Watchmaker. In 1956, he met his future wife, Elfriede, at a well known local dance establishment. They were engaged four days before he left for Halifax, Nova Scotia on March 29, 1957, on the ship called the “Seven Seas.” He lived in Toronto for only a few months before he embarked on a train and landed in Lethbridge, Alberta where Elfriede joined him nine months later. They were married on December 10, 1958. In Lethbridge he became a member of the Lethbridge/Alberta Sports Car Club. He was known in Alberta racing history to have built the VW Sportee Monno GT from using one of only five kits made in 1964.

In 1963 the family moved to Great Falls, Montana where Theodor subsequently opened a clock business called “The Time Shop.” He was able to repair clocks and watches of all kinds from all over the world and from any time period, because of his ability to make specialized parts for clocks when none were available. He very quickly became known as one of the best clock repairmen in the Northwest region. Perhaps one of his crowning achievements was when he was contracted to restore the iconic Depot Clock in Helena, a huge clock on the tower of the Burlington Northern Depot made in 1903. He was recognized by the entire city for restoring the clock to perfect working order after years of neglect. Ted was, as his brother Peter often stated, a “mechanical genius.”

Theodor had fun entertaining family and friends by playing his Concertina Bandoneon and harmonica. Who can forget listening to him expertly play the old German folk songs such as “Muss I Denn.” Some of his happiest moments were when he was out in nature, hunting, fishing, restoring automobiles and sailing with his family on Flathead Lake. He was a volunteer fireman for the Sand Coulee Fire Department and was the type of person who was always willing to help when asked.
In the end, although always a German, Ted was a Montanan through and through. Theodor will be greatly missed by those who loved him. He is survived by his wife, Elfriede Mrochen; daughters Diana (Lawrence) Price, Renee (Bugsy) Welch and Esther Ferda; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A private family memorial will be held at a later date.