"My Condelsonses To The Ternes Family.....
Your Mom Was A great Teacher For Elementary Students...
She Will Be Missed....."
In loving memory of
Therese Ternes
March 15, 1936 - February 18, 2015
A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ledyard with Father Sunny Dominic and Father Edward M. Girres officiating. Burial will in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM Friday at the Church with a rosary beginning at 4 PM and a scripture prayer service beginning at 7 PM.
Mary Therese (Brennan) Ternes was born on March 15, 1936, in LeMars, the daughter of Charles Joseph and Mary Elizabeth (Shanahan) Brennan. She grew up on a farm south of Oyens and attended St. Catherine's Grade School graduating from Union High School in 1953.
Therese, as she was known by all, attended Briar Cliff College and received a degree in elementary education. She taught in Correctionville and Hartley before finding a teaching position in Fairmont, MN. While there, she met the love of her life, Lawrence Ternes. Therese and Lawrence were united in marriage on June 24, 1961, at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Oyens.
After their marriage, they lived in Ledyard where they raised their family of four. When all the children were in school, Therese found her way back into the educational system as a para-educator. Over the next 25 years, she touched and influenced countless lives with her passion to help children learn.
Family and faith ware the most important things in her life. Therese enjoyed spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. Her garden and her flowers were Therese's other passion. If she wasn't walking somewhere, you could find her outside. Sharing was part of Therese's generous spirit. She was always willing to share the fruits of her gardening labors with everyone.
Therese died Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Fairmont, MN. She was one month shy of her 79th birthday.
She is survived by her husband Lawrence of Ledyard; children Jeanne Ternes of Mankato, MN, Lois (Mike) Harrison of Swea City, John (Laurie) Ternes of Ledyard, and Lawrence J. (Karen) Ternes of Mankato, MN; 8 grandchildren, Katherine, Michael, and Elizabeth Harrison; Drake and Tyler Ternes; and Kylie, Josie, and Jack Ternes; step-grandchildren, Jeremiah and Jennifer Denn, Sara Westphal, Samantha Kirkegaard, Jheri Gilbert, Toni Harrison, Tristan Brown, and Amber Kiel; and 14 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Ruth Brennan, and Linda O'Brien; brothers-in-law, Wayne (Melanie) Ternes, LeRoy Ternes; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; 3 brothers John and Donald in infancy, and Harold Brennan; a nephew, Mike Brennan; parents-in-law, Lawrence A. and Mildred Ternes; 3 brothers-in-law, Charles (Clare) Ternes, Harry (Marion Rose) Ternes and Thomas O'Brien; and 2 sisters-in-law, Adeline Ternes and Marion (Vern) Sifrit.
Tributes
"I am sorry for your loss. Thinking of Therese makes me think of her smile. What a kind and wonderful person. I also cannot help but think of her gardening and canning. She had plenty to share with everyone...but I swear her garden got bigger each year!! She was also a teacher at heart. She was gentle and patient with so many. Heaven is a little brighter for having her, and we are a little sadder for losing her. God bless!"
"i so enjoyed her going to the nursing home in bancroft with me and visiting with the ladies each month. a great ladiy and friend.evelyn doocy"
"I remember Therese as such a kind, friendly and hard working person! She was great working with at school! Thinking of all of you at this time. She truly will be missed! "
"I can remember the many days we spent together at school. Therese was always so willing to help others. She was a great asset to our school and our children. So sorry for your loss! May God hold you in his care! Jan "
"We are so sorry to hear of Therese's passing. She was a real sweetheart. I loved hearing her tell how she came out to my family farm at Lakota for a job interview. She was engaged at the time, but She didn't realize that Lawrence had lived with my parents/family and helped work on the farm when he was a young man. Our family always felt a special connection to all of you. Our deepest sympathy to you all. "
"Uncle Lawrence, Jeanne, Lois, John and Larry, I am truly sorry for the loss of Aunt Therese. I will always remember your visits to the the farm over the years. We were always so excited. The memories are too many to list. We will keep you in our prayers. Love, Joan"
"Aunt Therese was such a strong and gentle person. She will be missed by all and yet hold a special place in our hearts forever. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all and we wish we could be there with you. Love to all Don & Cathy Mashburn"
"Therese is one of the finest people I've ever known. The community of Ledyard, her parish Sacred Heart, her dear family and many friends will miss her terribly. "
"We are so sorry to hear about Aunt Therese's passing. Lots of great memories of the times we spent at Grandma Ternes's and Lawrence and Therese's in Ledyard all those years ago. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers."
"We are so sorry to hear about Aunt Therese's passing. She was always such a nice and pleasant lady. Condolences from Boston. Love, Josh and Amy Pick"
"Lawrence and family, I was sad to hear about Therese. She was such a faithful helper for me at school and I have always considered her a friend. We are in Florida now so send our condolences. We plan do do a memorial to Legion Auxiliary in memory of Therese. May the Lord be with you and give you comfort. Jim and Betty Smith"