Theresa R. Elliott
Theresa Rose Elliott, nee Schuepbach, 82 of Cahokia, IL, born Thursday, July 12, 1928 in Madison, Wisconsin, answered God's call to come home on Thursday, March 24, 2011 at her residence surrounded by family and friends.
Theresa was born to Ernest and Josephine Magnasco Schuepbach. She grew up with 3 brothers and 3 sisters on a dairy farm in the Madison, Wisconsin area. She worked as a waitress and cook, alongside her mother and other family members, while attending high school. She graduated from Central High School, Madison, WI in 1946 with the dream of becoming a teacher.
Instead she met and married the love of her life, John L. Elliott on June 17, 1946 in Madison, WI and they had four children, Joanne, John, Mary Lou and Gloria.
After the death of her mother-in-law, Myree Elliott, in 1952, she moved with her family to Southern Illinois to help care for her teenage sister-in-law, Charlene. In 1954, the family relocated to Cahokia, Illinois and she remained there until her death.
Theresa was involved in all aspects of her children's lives. She was a Cub Scout Leader, room mother, and PTA officer. She willing took on a leadership role to insure their success.
Theresa loved to read, garden and attend garage sales. She was very active in her church and community.
After raising her children and 20 + years after high school, she started college to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher. Theresa took a part time job at Cahokia School District as a bus aide to pay for her college tuition. As Theresa progressed in her education, she advanced to become a teacher's aide and then a paraprofessional with Cahokia School District.
Theresa obtained her bachelor's degree in education from SIU Edwardsville in 1980. Not one to sit still, she immediately began working on her master's degree in education. She obtained that, along with additional classes in Remedial Reading, became a Remedial Reading Teacher until her retirement in 1991. She was employed by Cahokia School District for 22 years.
Serving God, her family and her church was most important. She continued her cooking and organizational skills to spearhead the annual Smorgasbord and Spaghetti Dinners at her church. Theresa made the spaghetti sauce and meatballs for these dinners and everyone loved those meatballs.
Theresa will be most remembered for her steadfast faith in God. Her life served as an example to countless children, friends and neighbors of the rewards of living according to God's plan. Her faith never waivered. She was constantly reminding those around her - in thought and in deed - that we "should love each other." Her life was an example of loving one another.
We will miss Theresa. We will honor her life by continuing to follow her example and trusting God and living according to His will. We will take comfort in knowing that on this day, Theresa is resting in the arms and comfort of her Lord and savior.
Theresa was a member of Cahokia Park United Methodist Church, Queen City chapter #697 O.E.S., honorary member of Rob Morris chapter #98 O.E.S., President and District Officer of the United Methodist Women, and Harmony Prayer Group.
She was preceded in death by:
- Parents: Ernest and Josephine nee Magnasco Schuepbach
- Brothers
- Ernest A. Schuepbach
- John J. Schuepbach
- Sisters
- Pauline Taylor
- Rose Marie St. Louis
- Brother-in-law: Paul Leitsch
Surviving are her:
- Husband of 64 years: John L. Elliott
- Children
- Joanne M. Shipman of Cahokia, IL
- John V. (Terry) Elliott of St. Peters, MO
- Mary Lou (Bruce) Chandler of Red Bud, IL
- Gloria J. (Mark) Kessler of Columbia, IL
- Brother: Frank (Betty) Schuepbach of Madison, WI
- Sister: Joanne (William "Butch) Jensen of Madison, WI
- Grandchildren
- Brian Shipman
- Jennifer Elliott Touchette
- Jason Elliott
- Dawn (Mike) Chandler Smith
- Barbie (Steve) Chandler Wortham
- April Kessler Grasle
- Great Grandchildren
- Jared Elliott
- Cameron Touchette
- Megan and Madison Smith
- Breanna Chandler
- Paige Stearns
- John Kessler
- Sister-in-law: Charlene Leitsch of Carlyle, IL
- Many Nieces & Nephews
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Cahokia Park United Methodist Church.
Visitation: Friends may call from 3-8 P.M., Monday, March 28, 2011 at the Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL and from 10-11 A.M., Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at Cahokia Park United Methodist Church in Cahokia, IL. There will be an Order of Eastern Star services at the funeral home on Monday at 7:30 pm.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at Cahokia Park United Methodist Church, with Rev. Beth McLaughlin officiating. Interment will follow at Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Belleville, IL.