Theresa J. Riehle

Theresa Josephine Riehle, 92, Wausau, passed away on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Kennedy Park Medical and Rehabilitation Center, Weston. She was born July 7, 1918 to Michael and Lucy (Witucki) Kulas in Athens. Theresa worked hard on the home farm and helped with the large family. Theresa met Charles Riehle at the Athens Fair in 1934. After that, Theresa went to work as a housekeeper/cook for families in Chicago. It was the Great Depression, so visits home were rare, but she and Charles remained in contact for five years. They were married October 16, 1939. Theresa and Charles lived in Wausau for a short time before taking over the Kulas farm in Poniatowski in 1948. They farmed there for the next 17 years. After moving back to Wausau, Theresa was clerk at Winklemans/Johnson Hills, a job which she loved. Theresa and Charles also lived for a few years on Lake Nokomis where they operated a small resort. Charles and Theresa celebrated 65 years of marriage before Charles passed away on January 29, 2005. Survivors include, five children, Charles Jr. "Chuck" (Grace) Riehle, Edgar, Chester Riehle, Athens, Elaine (Joe) Bunczak, Bevent, Evie Tate, Wausau and Wendy (Sandra) Stresau, Austin, Tex.; 17 grandchildren, Richie Riehle, Athens, Annette (Alan) Rausch, Athens, Ron (Jill) Riehle, Edgar, Renee (Rick) Wesolowski, Marshfield, Roy (Ina) Riehle, Wausau, Randy (Barb) Riehle, Athens, Ray (Tanya) Riehle, Appleton, Rachel Riehle, Wausau, Amy Riehle, Jacksonville, Fla., Therese (Cassie) Riehle, New Milford, NJ, Alex Riehle, Milwaukee, Emily Riehle, Athens, Mary Ann (Ernest) Reeh, Stillwater, Minn., Sarah (Jim) Schneider, Shorewood, Paul (Julie) Bunczak, Wausau, Serena Tate, Atlanta Ga. and Julian Tate, Eau Claire; 22 great grandchildren; four sisters, Mildred (Jay) Nally, Mundelein, Ill., Vera Gantner, Wausau, Mary Bergs, Wausau and Mercedes (Bud) Davis, Glendale, Ariz.; one brother-in-law, Damon Riehle, New Berlin; and four sisters-in-law, Clara (Chet) Pernsteiner, Loyal, Margaret Ramminger, Waukesha, Alice (Dean) Condoff, Florida and Dollie Riehle, New Berlin. Besides her parents and husband, Charles Sr., she was preceded in death by four brothers, Joe, Edmund, Michael and Leo Kulas; and two sisters, Helen Pempek and Harriet Thalman. Theresa's favorite pastime was entertaining, cooking and baking for her company. Her specialties were apple pie, dumplings, sauerkraut and "northern fried chicken". She also enjoyed news and politics and was always up to speed on local, national and international figures and events. Charles and Theresa liked to take car rides and would often go to Duluth, Minn., Escanaba, Mich. and other northern destinations. Many winters, they would head down to Hollywood, Fla. for a few months. Theresa was admired in her neighborhood for growing gorgeous flowers. But the thing that people will most remember about Theresa, will be her beautiful and detailed hand written letters. She loved to write letters and receive mail to keep in touch with family. Theresa had a strong faith which started as a little girl at Holy Family Catholic Church in Poniatowski, where she graduated. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 31, 2010 at Holy Family Catholic Church, Poniatowski. The Very Reverend Charles Hiebl will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call Friday from 9:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Holy Family Catholic Church. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the entire staff of Kennedy Park and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for the wonderful care given to Theresa, a special thank you to Dr. Kay Gruling, Dr. Katherine Patterson and Dr. Rezwan Islam for the care Theresa received at Marshfield Clinic and to Sister Mary Ellen Diermeier for all the support and visits over the years. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com