fbpx

Della TePaske

Della Antonia TePaske, age 91, of San Antonio, TX, passed away Wednesday, January 18, 2017, at Starlight Homes Assisted Living.

She was born, January, 28, 1925, to Henry & Jennie TePaske in the township of Easton, Marathon Co., Ringle, WI. She had two brothers, Dick and Ernest.

Della’s family were charter members of the Forestville Reformed Church, Ringle, WI., later known as the New Hope Community Church, Wausau, WI. She taught Sunday School, sang in the church choir, and participated in the women’s society. In her later years, Della participated in “Seasoned Saints.”

At the age of 9 years, she contracted infantile paralyses (polio), affecting her right leg, which forced her to wear a leg brace. Her condition made it nearly impossible to drive a car; however, in the late 1960’s she learned to drive a car.

Della’s jobs included the Wisconsin Box Company during World War II, Marathon Bait Company of Wausau for 30 years, and doing weekly housecleaning – at one time 4 or 5 jobs. Through the “Lutheran Share a Home” program, at two different times, Della shared the home of two elderly ladies. While in these homes, she attending to their needs. Upon retiring, she moved to the Sturgeon Bluff Senior Citizen Apartments in Wausau. Due to health issues, she moved to San Antonio, TX, to live with her niece, Janice Sanchez, in February of 2012. In December of 2015, Della moved to Starlight Homes Assisted Living where she spent her last days.

Della loved to travel. Many of her travels were to Christian Endeavor conventions in various parts of the USA. She also made a trip to the Netherlands to visit TePaske relatives and to visit the National Cemetery in France where her brother, Dick, was interred. There were also trips to Mexico with World Home Bible League and to the Holy Land. Della would go along with her sister-in-law, June Merriam TePaske, to visit June’s children in different parts of the US.

Della loved to read, work in her flower garden, play Scrabble with friends, and put puzzles together.

In the midst of adversity, her faith in God remained strong. She was always willing to help others when there was a need. Her brother, Ernest, had become very sick and because of that, she would often go to the farm to help. This she did for many years.

She is preceded in death by her parents: Henry & Jennie TePaske; two brothers: Dick & Ernest TePaske; and sister-in-law, June (Merriam) TePaske.

Della is survived by two nephews: Glenn (AK) & Henry (Karen) TePaske (WA); and three nieces: Marion (Leon) Draayer (CA), Gail Demos (IL), & Janice (Charles) Sanchez (TX); as well as several great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Memorial service will be 11:00AM, Saturday, April 1 at New Hope Community Church; E1045 South County Road J, in Wausau. In lieu of flowers, you are invited to give to New Hope Community Church – Missions.