Theresa Tewes

I'm overwhelmed with deep sorrow and with JOY in my heart knowing that she is hanging out with Jesus... Can't wait to see you in Heaven, Mom!

Theresa (Terry) A. Tewes, age 82, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her Henderson, Nevada home on Sunday, August 21, 2022.  Theresa was born in Milwaukee, on January 27, 1940, to her mother, Anna Catherine, and her father, John Jack Gnacinski.  Her father passed away in 1949, so Theresa was raised by her mother, whom she loved fiercely, and older siblings.  Theresa helped raise her “sisters” Connie and Barbara.  After attending a friend’s wedding where she danced the night away with a dreamy young man named Richard, she married him on September 16, 1961, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary last year.  She worked at jobs that allowed her to keep her number one priority of being a mom. She was a devoted hockey mom and a protective “mamma bear” of her children and all those around her. She became an operator for the Wisconsin Bell Telephone Co. (AT&T) and was a proud union member of the Communications Workers of America (CWA).  She was a school bus driver and the infamous lunch lady at Heyer School in Waukesha (who made everyone eat their healthy food before dessert).  She spent many years in Waukesha volunteering in classrooms, as a Girl Scout leader, and organizing food drives for the Food Pantry.  After retiring and moving to Nevada, she continued working at Funjet & Allegiant Airlines, as an usher for many concerts - including Gwen Stefani and Usher, and alongside Richard, they worked for a charter company transporting many NCAA basketball finalists to and from their March Madness destinations.  Along with a group of retirees from Anthem, she volunteered at an elementary school spending countless hours sharing her love of reading with children and helping teachers.  Together, this group turned an underperforming school into one that was flourishing!   She joined the sewing club and lovingly handcrafted American Girl doll clothes and beautiful quilts for her grandchildren.  She spent 10+ years sewing pillowcases for kids going through cancer treatment (CaseForSmiles.org).  She and Richard attended Mosaic Church in Henderson.  For years she attended Bible Study and loved learning about our Lord & Savior. Gram TT never missed an important event and traveled often to Wisconsin for holidays.  She spent 24/7 celebrating and finding fun things to do with her grandkids when she was here.  She blessed her family and friends with her love, laughter, kindness & generosity. She is survived by her husband Richard, daughter Marie (Duane) Welvang, son Richard (Carolyn), her beloved grandchildren Mitchell, Max, and Marissa, and brother Joseph (Kathy).  She was preceded in death by her siblings, and other family and friends.  Visitation will be from 4-6 pm with a Celebration of Life service at 6 pm on Tuesday, August 30 at the Muskego Fox River Church, S67 W19491 Tans Dr., near I43 & Racine Ave.

In remembrance of Theresa, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Waukesha Food Pantry or CaseForSmiles.org