Theresa Josephine Wells
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Theresa Josephine Wells, 86, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, September 22, 2024. She was surrounded by her family, whom she loved so dearly.
Theresa was born in Easton, KS, on January 27, 1938, to Thomas and Josephine Wells. She grew up in the country with her five sisters and four brothers. After graduating from Easton High School in 1954, she moved to Leavenworth, KS. While working as a civilian at Fort Leavenworth, she met her husband Ralph Erickson, whom she married in 1957. After a short time in New York, Theresa and Ralph moved to Santa Ana, California, where they spent ten years raising their five children. In 1969, the family moved to Lawrence, KS, where Theresa spent the rest of her life.
Theresa loved music, and she had fond memories of singing in the high school choir. Her children remember always hearing records in their home growing up. Theresa’s love of music lives on through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. One of her favorite pastimes was listening to her beloved family play concerts and sing for her. Theresa loved sports and spent many hours cheering on the Royals, Chiefs, and Jayhawks. She was a devout member of the Catholic Church and had a heart for service. But what brought her the most joy was spending time with her family and her many close friends. One of her greatest blessings in her later years was living at Monterey Village, where she was loved and cared for by staff members who became like family to her.
Above all, Theresa loved Jesus. She filled stacks of journals with prayers for her loved ones and with gratitude to God. We will remember her wonderful laugh, her quick wit, and her constant prayers for those she loved.
Theresa is survived by four children: Joe Erickson (Bonnie), Karen Anderson (Tom), Deborah Mellen (Brian), and Terry Erickson (Dale Hubbell); eleven grandchildren: Chris Erickson, Ruth Larkin, Amy Andersen, Heather Austin, Charise Marvine, Jessica Ryan, Kala Briedwell, Alicia Erickson, Brett Mellen, Brandon Erickson, and Amanda See; and nineteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by four siblings: Shirley Keys, William Wells, Rick Wells, and Linda Ray. Theresa is preceded in death by her precious daughter, Anne Marie Erickson; her parents, Thomas and Josephine Wells; and her siblings Mary Sauer, Sister Carol Wells, Tom Wells, John Wells, and Judy McNally.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 5, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish, preceded by the Rosary at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. John Parish at 1234 Kentucky Street, Lawrence, KS, 66044, or to the National Alliance on Mental Illness at https://www.nami.org/.
I met Theresa at a parish retreat at St John’s in 2016. She was easy to love and we bonded into a very special friendship. I picked her up for Mass on Sundays and visited her often at Monteray Village. She loved living there and was well taken care of. I cherish every moment we had together.
She was a friend to many and loved her family
So dearly.
Though our hearts are heavy, there is that joy knowing she is with Jesus and healed in heaven.
My sincere condolences to her beautiful family and for their love and support through the years.
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as we grieve this life changing loss.
With deepest sympathy and love,
Sue Glatz
Steve and I are so sad to read about Theresa’s passing. She had the biggest heart, and she was such a good friend to Donna in Monterey Village. After Donna died, we continued to visit her with our dog Sadie, and we loved seeing her pictures and hearing about her children and grandchildren. We will have a hole in our hearts and will miss her.
My thoughts are with Theresa’s family, she was a friend to many. God bless her soul and may she rest in peace. Tammy Wilkins
Sending lots of hugs and prayers to the family. Theresa was loved by so many and she is now with Annie and Ralph and in the loving arms of Jesus! May God give you all peace and comfort!