Theresa R. Ryan

Theresa R. Ryan, 82, of Whitehall, formerly of Independence, died Thursday, August 20, 2015 at Gundersen Tri-County Care Center, Whitehall with her three daughters by her side. Theresa was born February 9, 1933 in Plum Creek, rural Independence, to William and Mary (Pierzina) Jurowski. She married Elmer J. Ryan Jr. on October 1, 1952 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, North Creek. He died June 7, 2015. Theresa worked as a nanny for the Schank family and various other families. She farmed along with her husband in Lincoln Township until retirement in 2000 when they moved to Independence. She continued doing things she enjoyed to help others such as cleaning, painting, babysitting and socializing with others in their homes. She enjoyed fishing, gardening, lawn work and going for rides with Elmer and stopping somewhere for lunch and coffee. She took pride in her family, cleaning, cooking and baking. Her enjoyment was putting a smile on the faces of others! Theresa was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, Whitehall where she was known for making her coffee cakes for their fall festival. Survivors include three daughters, Rebecca (Roger) Bautch of Whitehall, Rita (David) Hovey of Independence and Audrey (special friend, David Grulkowski) Haas of Whitehall; brother, Richard (Margaret) Jurowski of Whitehall; sister, Adeline Dabelstein of Arcadia; seven grandchildren, Ryan (Tiffany) and John (Kylee) Bautch, Sarah (Paul) Engstrand, Kevin (Beth) Hovey, Stephanie (fiancé, Jake Edwards) Maug, Ryan and Hayley Haas; eight great-grandchildren, Bentley, Zoey, Mason and Maverick Bautch, Emily, Rachael and Soren Hovey and Ayla Edwards. She was preceded in death by her husband and brother-in-law, Richard Dabelstein. Funeral service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, August 23, 2015 at Edison Funeral Home, Independence, with Very Rev. Woodrow H. Pace officiating. Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday at Lincoln Cemetery, Whitehall. Visitation will be 4 p.m. until time of services Sunday at the funeral home. The family wishes to extend their appreciation to the staff of Gundersen Tri-County Care Center for their care of Elmer and Theresa Ryan for the last nine and a half years. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Theresa R. Ryan, please visit our flower store.