Mary Theresa Kloehn, affectionately known as “Theresa” or to her grandchildren as “Nana” was greeted by Archangel Remiel, the angel of hope, who took her by her hand with her grandson Negus Kloehn (d. April 28th, 2020) on the morning of January 2, 2021 as she took her last breath.
Theresa was the devoted wife to Ralph Anthony Kloehn for 59 years. She was born on November 19, 1938 to Jack Landers and Sadie Marie Barberousse-Landers in Shreveport, Louisiana. She was the third of six siblings, Evelyn Malsch (deceased), Jimmy Landers (deceased), Rosie Scott, Anne Monroe and Michael Landers (deceased).
Theresa served in the United States Naval Reserve at Naval Station Great Lakes, IL from September 14, 1959 to September 22, 1960. Serving as a nurse, she met Dr. Ralph Anthony Kloehn and they were married at the base Chapel. Ralph and Theresa led a life devoted to helping many. As a young couple during the years of 1968 to 1969, they lived in Nairobi, Kenya as Ralph was doing a rotation for a year as a physician with the Flying Doctors of East Africa. With their first four children, Colleen, Gregory, Kristine and Patricia, Theresa was known to take the children to the Nairobi National Park game to view the many wild animals from their small Roho car. At one point they were chased by an Ostrich for getting too close to her nest!
After returning from Africa, they had three more children, Timothy, Philip and Michelle. Theresa continued serving patients after the children were a bit older. She served on the drug and alcohol unit at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center for several years. As life progressed, she served as a loving nurse to Ralph’s growing practice of cosmetic and plastic surgery patients in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Theresa was known to hold the hand of many as they sat in the recovery room.
Theresa’s most famous line was, “May you live till you die!” This she practiced with gusto, vigor, and a great deal of laughter. Theresa will be terribly missed by her husband Ralph and their seven children, spouses and partners, and fourteen grandchildren. She is survived by Ralph Anthony Kloehn; Colleen Anne Kloehn; Gregory Charles Kloehn married to Lisa White-Kloehn parents to Andrew, Alyssa, Alivia and Annalise; Kristine Marie Kloehn-Crawford married to Daniel Crawford mother to Justin, Kyle, Michael and Nicholas; Patricia Jean Kloehn mother to Negus (deceased) and Elilta Kloehn; Timothy Ralph Kloehn married to Julie Bond-Kloehn parents to Anna and Ian Kloehn; Philip Michael Kloehn married to Annie Kelly-Kloehn parents to Harrison and Elliot; and Michelle Marie Kloehn-Leonard married to Charles Leonard.
Theresa led a life full of laughter, wit, and God. She was a devoted Catholic who practiced mass daily and said the rosary with her husband Ralph. Her last five years were spent at the Milwaukee Catholic Home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Theresa had many friends, and all were impressed with her southern charm and charisma. In addition to raising her children and grandchildren she enjoyed traveling, southern traditions, flowers, and birds. She loved to sit and watch nature and felt very much at peace with the great outdoors. Theresa also enjoyed cooking for family and friends and has birthed many important family recipes for jambalaya, gumbo, pecan pie, peanut butter pie and candy cane drum cakes.
On Saturday, January 9th at 3PM CT a virtual viewing paying tribute to Theresa’s life will take place at Becker Ritter Funeral home in Brookfield, WI followed by a live stream Funeral Service at 4 PM CT.
Sunday, January 10th balloons will be released at 9:45 AM at the front steps of the Wisconsin Memorial Park 13235 W Capitol Drive, Brookfield WI 53005. The grandsons will escort Nana as pallbearers up the front steps of the Memorial Park and Military honors will be performed. A private crypt placement will occur following the public ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for charitable contributions to Save the Ball – Soccer for Africa, Inc. This is a non-profit established for Theresa’s Ethiopian grandson, Negus who passed away April 28, 2020. Negus’ mission is to supply soccer nets and balls to impoverished children of Africa. Theresa was a strong supporter of Negus’ mission and will be watching 3v3 tournaments from the best seat in heaven with Negus at her side. Please donate to https://www.savetheballsoccerforafrica.com/make-a-donation.
Please click here to take part in Mary's virtual viewing on Saturday, January 9th at 3 PM and the Funeral Service on Saturday, January 9th at 4:00 PM.
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