"Dear Dr. Elmer, Marj, and family: We were so very sorry to read in the Storm Lake paper that Theresa had passed away. We have happy childhood memories from growing up in the same neighborhood as your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Sincerely, Mike and Rae (Harrington) Thompson"
In loving memory of
Theresa Woline
November 10, 1954 - December 20, 2007
Theresa A. Woline, 53, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Thursday, December 20, 2007, at her home following a two year battle with cancer. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 23, 2007, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 607 S. Jackson Street, Mt. Pleasant, where the family will receive friends from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon. A Christian Vigil Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. at the church. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, December 24, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church with the Rev. Nicholas J. Adam, celebrant. Burial will be in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery. Memorials have been established to St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Henry County Relay for Life, Winfield-Mt. Union Elementary School, or The Lance Armstrong Foundation. The Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel of Mt. Pleasant is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonpowell.com. Born November 10, 1954, in Omaha, NE, Theresa was the daughter of Dr. Elmer J. and Marjorie A. Schultz Duethman. She grew up in Storm Lake, IA, and was a 1973 graduate of St. Mary's High School in Storm Lake. She earned an Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy from Kirkwood Community College. On June 4, 1977, she married Allan D. Woline in Storm Lake. After marrying Allan, Theresa moved to Mt. Pleasant where they raised their two children. A teacher at heart, Theresa returned to school to pursue her teaching degree and graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1994. She was a substitute teacher for one year before being hired by the Winfield-Mt. Union Schools where she has been teaching ever since. She was a member of the Tri-Area Reading Association, Professional Educators of Iowa, and involved with Newspapers In Education through the Cedar Rapids Gazette. In 2003, she received the Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year Award. She was voted Teacher of the Year in 2006 in the Winfield-Mt. Union Schools. Theresa was a member of the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. She was a collector and had an extensive Blessed Virgin Mary statue collection. Theresa liked to exercise. She was a shopper, especially enjoyed shopping for shoes, antiquing, and going to auctions. Most of all she loved her family and had a passion for teaching. Along with her husband Allan, Theresa is survived by one daughter, Carrie and her husband Denton DeSotel of Cedar Rapids, IA; one son, Andrew Woline of Cedar Rapids, IA; her parents, Elmer and Marjorie Duethman of Bettendorf, IA; two sisters, Carolyn Powell of Ankeny, IA and Denise Duethman of Bettendorf, IA; and one brother Greg Duethman and his wife Kathryn of Iowa City, IA. Theresa was preceded in death by her grandparents and by an infant son, Jerod Allan Woline on June 29, 1979.
Tributes
"TO THE WOLINE & DUETHMAN FAMILY, SO SAD TO HEAR OF THERESA'S PASSING. I DIDN'T KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT HER IN LATER YEARS, BUT I KNEW HER AS A LITTLE GIRL, I USED TO BABYSIT HER AND HER SISTER,CAROLINE. SHE WAS A SWEET AND BUBLY LITTLE ONE. KNOW THAT SHE IS IN A BETTER PLACE, KNOW MORE PAIN AND SUFFERING. TO THE FAMILY IF YOU BELIEVE STRONGLY IN YOUR FAITH YOU WILL SURVIVE. MAY GOD BE WITH YOU IN THE DAYS AHEAD. LOVE & PRAYERS, PAT(TIEDEMAN) GUNVILLE, STORM LAKE, IOWA"
"Carrie and Family, I am so terribly sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine how difficult this is for you. My thoughts are with you and your family. Debbie"
"Carrie, I never got to meet your mom, but if she was anything like you, she was a wonderful person! John, Avery and I are so sorry for your loss. We're keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers this holiday season, and please let us know if there's anything we can do to help during this difficult time. Sincerely, John, Nicole & Avery Riehl"
"You have our deepest sympathy in your time of loss. She had our son and our daughter in school. We were so fortunate to have her teaching our children. Our daughter just started school at WMU and was lucky enough to get her for a teacher. She previously had been having trouble in her other school but when she left Mrs. Woline's class she was getting straight A's. She was such an amazing teacher. She did so much more for us than I could ever explain. We had been trying to get custody of our daughter because her current living conditions were not suitable for any child. We were not able to do so until we had the help, guidance, love, and support from Theresa. She changed our lives forever and we will always be grateful for that. We will miss her dearly. Our prayers are with you. Scott, Dee Dee, Lacie, Jenna Pfeiffer and Chase Brown"
"Al, Carrie & Andrew, so sorry to hear of Theresa. She will never be forgotten. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Please let us know anything we can do. Love Rod and Jackie"
"Dear Dr. Elmer and Marjorie and your family: We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your daughter Theresa. We will keep you all in our prayers. Sincerely, Mark & Rita Fitzgerald Storm Lake, IA"
"Theresa will always be remembered for her strength, her sense of fun, her care for others and her natural charisma which made her such a great leader and teacher. It's these qualities (and more) that live on in our memories at this time and for always. We send our love and prayers to all."
"My sympathy to the Woline & Duethman family. I was sad to hear about Theresa's passing. I graduated with her from St Marys in Storm Lake and remember quite a few slumber parties at her house in our younger days. I actually had the chance to visit with her at our 30th class reunion and she was even more "lively" than she was in high school! I hope your happy memories will get you thru this difficult time at this time of year."
"Al, Carrie, Andrew, Elmer, Marge, Denise,Carolyn and Greg and families: On behalf of Denny and I, we offer our condolences and our prayers for you and all your families. I know that God will give you all the strength that you need at this time and please know that He will be holding all of you in his arms to comfort and console you just as he is holding Theresa in his arms to welcome her home! You are in our thoughts and prayers! Mary & Denny Hurd & family"
"Our family would like to express our sympathy to you. We were sorry to hear about Theresa. She was such a neat lady and we were privileged to have known her. You are in our thoughts and prayers especially over this Christmas season. Robb, Lindsay, Tate and Cale Brechwald Val and Shannon Walsh Angi, Jason, Teagan and Peyton Meyer"
"Our family would like to express our sympathy to you. We were sorry to hear about Theresa. She was such a neat lady and we were priveleged to have known her. You are in our thoughts and prayers especially over this Christmas season. Robb, Lindsay, Tate and Cale Brechwald Val and Shannon Walsh Angi, Jason, Teagan and Peyton Meyer"
"Theresa was such a good person--she meant so many wonderful things to so many people. She always had a ready laugh (it still echoes in my mind) and knew how to have fun. She was such a big, bright, lively shining star of a personality. We all miss her, more than words can adequately express. We send everyone our love and prayers, and especially a great big Woline hug."
"To the family of Theresa, I want to extend my deepest sympathies. I graduated with Theresa from St. Mary's High School. I have fond memories of Theresa and her siblings and parents from the high school days. I enjoyed reading about her life. From reading the obituary, she definitely gave herself fully to her family and community. I will keep her and the family in my prayers each day. Ann Wiggins Jamieson"
"Carrie, Denton and Family - We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."
"Al, Carrie, and Andrew, No matter how long between calls, or visits, "Duethman" was always the most fun-loving, true-blue friend I have ever known. We could pick up where we left off even with years in between. I have missed her over the years, but nothing felt so empty as tonight when I realized I will never get the chance to laugh with her again. Such is the fact that life is truly too short, but I appreciate being blessed by knowing such a great person. Please accept my sympathy and my apology for not making it to the services for her. I will truly be there in heart and thought. I will miss you Duethman!! Thanks for being such a beautiful friend. Jo"
"Carrie and family. There aren't sufficient words to tell you how sorry we are for your loss. You are all in our hearts."
"We all have an angel now. Theresa was an incredible person, wife, mom, aunt, teacher, and more. I will miss her more than words can express. She is still with us in countless ways including memories that will last forever. To my family I send love, prayers, and the will of the Woline smile (We know that's what Theresa would want to see!)"
"Alan, Andrew and Carrie, My family and I send our deepest sympathy for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers."
"Carrie and family - We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Words cannot express our sorrow for you, you are in our thoughts and prayers."
"Carrie,Denton and family My deepest sympathy to you and your family in the loss of your loved one. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all those who were fortunate enough to have known her. May God comfort and guide each of you as you go through the road of healing. Her spirit shall forever be present for all who knew and loved her. I recieved a message after my Mother passed away which read, Some of the most beautiful things cannot be seen or touched they must be felt within the heart."
"Andrew & family, so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this rough time."
"It was my privilege to know Theresa when she was a student in my American literature class at Wesleyan. She was always there, in the front row, fully engaged. I grew to appreciate so much her intelligence, wisdom, common sense, and wonderful smile. She was excited about teaching and eager to get started, and I know that she was a wonderful teacher and colleague. She brought joy and humor and insight to so many, many people of different ages. My heart goes out to all her family and her past and present students and colleagues."
"Thinking of you during this hard time! Please let me know if you need anything!"
"You all are in my prayers right now. It has been a wonderful 14 years getting to know Theresa, Allan and the kids. I came to MT Pleasant 14 years ago to say goodbye to a cousin that had passed and met Theresa and the family. I then realized that they were family and have been blessed to have them all in my life. As I was deployed to Iraq for a year, Theresa had her students send packages and they were the hit for all my guys to get some treats and letters from her students. She was always one of my biggest supporters. She raised an AWESOME family and they are all important to me. I will miss Theresa and her goofy humor that would always make you smile, no matter how bad anything was. She was always there for everyone. To the family, I love you all and am I am blessed to have you in my life. May God touch you, bless you and wrap His arms around you and keep you in His comfort. Love you all David"
"Please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers. I only recently (Sunday) found out that Theresa wasn't doing well. I know that all of you will miss her terribly, as will I. I have so many fond memories of Theresa. She was such a dynamic, funny and caring individual. I refered to her several times and to many people as "one of my favorite teachers". She was passionate about her teaching. I admired her for her creativity, her energy, and after her diagnosis, her strength. She has touched the lives of many. May you always find comfort in the memories she helped create. Thinking of you - Susan Mast"