Theresa A. Schuttenhelm

Theresa Ann Schuttenhelm passed away peacefully on Friday, April 18th at the age of 86.

Theresa was born in Sparta, WI on July 12, 1938, to Fred and Maire (Seidel) Ryan. After graduating from Sacred Heart High School in Milwaukee (1955) she worked as a catalog proofreader for the George Worthington Co. in Cleveland, OH, and the Cleveland Art Club where she was a model. Upon returning to the La Crosse area she worked as a secretary for the Monroe County Health Department in Sparta and the Pyroil Co. in La Crosse. Theresa found much joy as an instructor at the Aurther Murray Dance Studio in La Crosse, where she met her husband Gerald ‘Jerry’. They were married on August 16, 1958, in Sparta, WI.

Theresa was a proud and devoted mother- first and last to her four sons: Mark, Lance, James, and Franz. She was a satisfied homemaker that enjoyed contributing with her sons’ activities including their religious life, sports, and their time with the Boy Scouts. Thus, helping guide her four sons to the rank of Eagle Scout. She was a volunteer paraprofessional at Cathedral school for 16 years and a room mother for 23 years, as well as past president of the PTO. She was also active at Aquinas HS in the music department and in parish ministries.

Theresa also volunteered her time for 6 years at Franciscan medical center as secretary in the pastoral care department in which she also assisted with Eucharistic ministries to sick and home bound. She was also a proud blood doner, donating over 21 gallons of blood! She was involved with the Red Cross and volunteered as a receptionist at blood mobiles.

She was known as the cookie lady for many years as she was a devoted baker! She made many different cookies and cakes; even selling her ‘cut-out’ cookies to some during each holiday and creating beautiful cakes for weddings, and any other celebrations.

The last years of her life were not as she had hoped, suffering from dementia and requiring care at Riverside Transitional Care. Even with these challenges, she still enjoyed the time spent with family and friends visiting. Despite becoming gradually less verbal, she would still make sure to keep her newest grandchildren in line with a joking ‘get back here’ or ‘my boys never did that’.

Theresa was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry; mother, Marie; and brother, Jim. She is survived by her sons, Mark (Mary), Lance (Tara), James, and Franz (Angie); grandchildren, Luke (Miranda), Anna (Bobby), Tallin, Ella, Andre, and Lizzie; great grandchildren, Ayla and Otto; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Branson and Rita Kowalke; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Theresa’s Catholic faith was very important to her. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Saint Joseph the Workman Cathedral where she was a long-time member. Visitation will be held one hour prior to Mass at the church. Msgr. Richard Gilles will officiate. Committal services will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Sparta, WI.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Saint Joseph the Workman Cathedral in Theresa’s name.