Theresa Heier was born May, 9 1924 north of Park, Kansas. She died on March 13, 2016 at the Long Term Care Facility, Quinter, Kansas at the age of 91. Theresa’s parents were Nickolas and Leogardia (Waldman) Zerr.
Shortly after Theresa’s birth the family moved to the farm on the Hackberry. She attended Hackberry District 14 and graduated from school there.
Theresa was raised on a farm and it was there she learned the value of hard work. She was right hand man to her father as the boys were born later and dad needed her help out in the fields. She always said her sister Mary got to stay in the house and learn at the feet of mom, but she had to be outside. That was why Mary was a much better cook than she was.
Theresa attended Nurses Training at the St. Rose School of nursing in Great Bend, Kansas and graduated in 1947 as a Registered Nurse. She later met and married Nicholas Heier on October 10, 1949. To this Union were born 5 children.
Theresa dedicated much of her life to her nursing career. She worked at St. Rose Hospital in Great Bend, St. Catherine in Garden City and St. Anthony in Hays. She then came home to work at Gove County Hospital in Quinter, and for part of that time served as Superintendent of Nursing. One of her favorite areas was working in surgery. She finally retired from nursing on April 22, 1987.
Theresa had a great sense of humor and would often play tricks on the preceptors who came to the hospital for training. Her sense of humor was in play right up to the end. When you would least expect it she would spout something to make you laugh.
Theresa and Nick farmed southwest of Grainfield for many years. When it was time for them to retire from the farm, Nick built them a home in town. Theresa wanted it big enough for the whole family to come visit. They moved into that home in December of 1977. Theresa loved her home and lived there until she became ill in May of 2015. Nick preceded her in death on January 14, 1990.
Theresa had a strong Christian faith and was a member of the St. Agnes Parish and the St. Agnes Ladies Group. She was also a past member of the EHU.
After Nick died, Theresa enjoyed visits from her family and spent many hours playing Skip-Bo with them. Theresa went on several trips with her daughters. She loved to travel and visit new places.
Theresa is survived by their five children, Jolene (Elden) Gustafson, Williamston, Michigan, Harold, Williamston, Michigan, Karla (Tom) Rickner, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Harvey (Cammie) Heier, Grainfield, Kansas, and Sonya (Kenny) Goetz, Dodge City, Kansas; twelve grandchildren Brandon and Shaun Blain, Jesse and Samuel Heier, Rachel (Rickner) Trombley, Robert, Rebekah, and Richard Rickner, Deanna Farber, Brandon and Landon Heier and Kade Baker and Monica and Travis Goetz; fourteen great-grandchildren; one brother Alfred (Donna) Zerr, Dallas, Texas; and one sister Christina (James) Halepaska, Dallas, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sisters, Mary and Agnes; and brothers, Anthony, Lawrence, Fidelis, Gilbert, and Edwin.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 17, 2016 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Grainfield. Burial will be in the Grainfield cemetery.
Visitation will be Wednesday, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the St. Agnes Religious Education Center, Grainfield. A parish vigil service will follow at 7:00 p.m.
Memorials are suggested to the Gove County Medical Center and Long Term Care Facility; also to the Gove Hospital Endowment Fund for Nursing Scholarships. Checks made to the organization can be left at the service, or mailed to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.
Condolences may be sent online at www.schmittfuneral.com.