Theresa Rose (Lyden) Miles

Theresa (“Myrt”) R. Miles passed away on Monday, August 1, 2023, after a courageous nine-year battle with cancer.  Born July 25, 1948, in Urbana, Ohio, she graduated from Kent State University with a BA in Elementary Education and from the University of Cincinnati with a MA in Elementary Education.  She started teaching in Wilmington, OH, moving to Wausau in 1973, where she taught at GD Jones before moving to Rib Mountain Elementary.  At Rib, she taught first grade for 30 years.  It was a perfect grade for her to teach her students to love reading.  Theresa was able to attend Ohio State University and become a “literacy coordinator” in the WSD, remaining in her classroom and coaching other teachers in the district.  In addition, Theresa coached girls tennis at Wausau West High School for ten years.  That is where she encouraged young women to compete, be a good sport and enjoy the lifetime sport of tennis.  She also ran an afterschool tennis program at Rib Mountain Elementary.  After retiring in 2007, she was elected to the Wausau School Board, serving on the Board for 10 years.  Her goal was to always try to create excellent programs for students in the district and sustain a positive environment for staff in spite of the restrictive nature of Act 10.

Her love of tennis allowed Myrt to make many good friends outside of her teaching career.  She played and coached a USTA Senior Women’s team that earned several trips to the WI State Tournament.  Myrt and Scott made trips to Wimbledon and the US Open Tennis Tournaments, where she was able to watch her favorite player, Roger Federer, in person.  In addition to her love for reading, teaching, and tennis, she enjoyed taking walks and collecting seashells on the beach at Marco Island.  One other passion of hers included playing bridge.  The bridge club she was part of for over 45 years was made up of so many loving friends and gave her such joy.  She always had good stories to tell about her bridge gatherings.  Even as the cancer plagued her mind, she could still play a fine game of bridge!

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Scott, and two children, Andy (Sarah Prather) and Anne Hanson.  She adored her four grandchildren, Jordan, Camryn, Hannah, and Zoe, and was so happy when able to spend time with them and watch them grow to be such loving and thoughtful individuals.  Family was important to her and she spent many wonderful experiences with her sister, Theda in Maine and enjoyed the many overseas trips they took together.  She enjoyed visits with her brother, Tim at his farm in Bellefontaine, Oh, always marveling at how much work he did.

Our family is grateful for the excellent care provided by her oncologists at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Dr. Rezazadeh and Dr. Ahuja, as well as Dr. Shah at Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee.  In addition, Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services were so helpful to her during the last stages of her life.  Inner Peace caregivers provided her with additional excellent home care.  The skill, support, and compassion of all these healthcare providers gave her extra time to enjoy friends and family.

Theresa lived her life to the fullest.  She loved her family, enjoyed her many friends, traveled the world, and could find something positive in any situation.  She had such love and joy that her passing will leave a void for those who knew and loved her. 

A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, August 11, 2023, at her home from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m. for family and friends.  In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund has been established in her name at Wausau West High School or memorials may be given to Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com