Theresa Deelstra

Theresa Deelstra, 95 of Parker, passed away on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at the Freeman Regional Hospital. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM Monday, February 19, 2024 at St. Christina’s Catholic Church, Parker with burial in the church cemetery.  Prayer Service and Rosary will begin at 1:30 PM with Visitation from 2:00-4:00 PM Sunday, February 18, 2024 at the catholic church. Arrangements provided by Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home.

Theresa Agnes Deelstra was born on August 30, 1928 at Madison, SD to Clynn and Lena (Henle) Gates.  At the age of 6 the family moved to Parker, SD where she grew up and graduated from Parker High School in 1948.  On April 20, 1948 she was united in marriage to Jake Deelstra at Parker, SD.  For over 25 years she provided care for her mother in law.  She was a stay at home Mom and raised eight children.  During this time we had several large gardens, did a lot of canning, sold vegetables and apples. She started working outside the home in the early 70’s starting as a waitress at the Corner Café, and then she and Jake managed the N & S Drive Inn in the summer and the Parker Bowling Alley in the winter, Parker Bakery working for Ed Waltzer, the Kitchen Café for Clara as a waitress for 17 years,  caretaker of Heritage Park at the fairgrounds, and the Parker high school library and lunch program for 9 years,  retiring in 1995.  The last couple of years she has been a resident of the Tieszen Memorial Home where she received excellent care and concern.

Theresa was a 12th Generation Descendant of the Mayflower and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).  Since 1934 she was a member of St. Christina Catholic Church, member of the 28er’s Group, had a huge garden, did ceramics, arranged wedding flowers, loved to read and playing her organ, and enjoyed anything that involved her children, grandchildren and family.

Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Shirley (Jim) Glirbas, Tea, Karen Voss, Sioux Falls, Marcene (John) Kleinschmit, Tea, Charlene (Larry) Quick, Parker, Wayne (Nancy) Deelstra, Watertown, Ron Deelstra, Canton and Sharon (Del) Stroud, Renner; a daughter in law, Donna Deelstra, Parker; 23 grandchildren, 56 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren: and special friend Wanda.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jake in 2000, an infant son Robert James, a son Robert Michael, son in law, Roger Voss, daughter in law, Kelly Deelstra, 2 infant great grandchildren, and 3 brothers, Gilbert, Vila and Lawrence.