Obit: Sims, Theresa Magdalene (1933 - 2022)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Sims, Steinmetz, Berube, Redetzke, Loons, Marshall, Baures, Elliott, Sime, Troyer

----Source: Cuddie Funeral Home (Greenwood, Clark Co., WI) 4/07/2022

Sims, Theresa Magdalene (8 March 1933 – 31 March 2022)

Theresa Magdalene Berube entered this world on March 8, 1933, at her family’s home in Saxon Falls, (near Little Girls Point, MI). She left her earthly body on March 31, 2022, at her daughter’s home in Thorp, at the age of 89, surrounded by many of her family.

Theresa married John H. Steinmetz, Jr. in 1952 and had nine children with him. They owned and operated a dairy farm in Saxon, with their children: Linda Redetzke (Jim) Loons, Debi Steinmetz, Sandy (Keith) Marshall, John Steinmetz, Terese (Jim) Baures, Lori Elliott, Julie (John) Sime, Thomas
(Vicky) Steinmetz, and Tim (Joanne) Steinmetz. She was blessed with 21 grandchildren (Lance, Alea, Ashley, Matthew, Kendra, John, Tyler, Bridget, Brianna, Brandon, Britany, Bronson, Shilo, Shaina, Savannah, Arizona, Dakota, Holly, Tiffany, Tawny, and Jacob) and 22 great-grandchildren. After 56 years of marriage, they divorced. Theresa then married Cloyse “Cy” Sims and lived in Rockport, Texas until September of 2021, when she moved to Thorp.

Mom was a woman of great faith. Mornings were always spent in prayer. Meals were never consumed without grace being prayed. She crocheted countless baptismal gowns for her grandchildren.

She was a very talented lady, giving selflessly of her time and talents. She had the ability to install a chimney in a pre-existing home. She made an eating nook in her small farm kitchen to feed a family of 11—and many times more. She could plow and work a field and make enough bread (several times a week) to feed us all. She made large tablecloths and clothes for which she won prizes at the county fair. She crocheted many sweaters, vests, and mittens for her children and grandchildren. She also made large, braided rugs, which inspired her grandchildren to want to learn the art of rug-making, which in turn caused us to begin a group we named “the Ruggers” and have met in our home since December, once a week, so mom could share her love and knowledge with all of us and carry on her gift.

Mom also did some traveling. She viewed the Grand Canyon from a helicopter, traveled to Alaska for three weeks with Cy and his family, and also visited Louisiana. She and Cy went on a cruise to Cozumel with Lisa Troyer.

Cy’s family treated Mom with great love and dignity. He would often order fresh blue crabs (Mom’s favorite) and his children would cook them up at the “Rougarou”—a cook kitchen on the family’s property. This would happen several times a week. Mom so loved gatherings of family and friends. She and Cy were members of a monthly birthday club where they gathered at neighborhood homes to celebrate.

Theresa is survived by her husband of 11 years, Cloyse “Cy” Sims; his children, Dean Sims, Kevin (Lori) Sims, Lisa (William) Troyer, and Carolyn Sims; her eight remaining children and their spouses; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her daughter, Lori Elliott; her stepson, Chris Sims; and her ex-husband, John Steinmetz, Jr.

The Scripture verse from the daily prayer book the day she passed was Ezekiel 36:26: “A new heart also I give you and a new spirit will I put within you.”

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Saxon, WI. Inurnment will follow in Edgewood Cemetery in Gurney. Visitation will be held, at the church, on Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. until time of service.