Theresa Littell

Theresa I. Littell, 97, of Fairfield Bay, AR, formerly of Loves Park, IL, was called home to the Lord Sunday, October 10, 2021, in Clinton, AR.  Born September 11, 1924, in Superior, WI, the daughter of Victor P. and Mary V. (Michalak) Nicoski.  Graduated from Gilman High School, Class of 1942.  Married Albert L. Littell on September 2, 1946; he preceded her in death on January 20, 1991.  Employed by Amerock Corporation for 10 years before making their move to Arkansas, where she worked at Indian Hills Country Club and Goodwin & Daughters.  Member of St. Bridget Catholic Church in Loves Park, IL, for 30 years, then St. Francis of Assisi in Fairfield Bay Arkansas for 45 years, where she loved to serve the Lord.  She was very active in the church serving as a Eucharistic Minister, CCD teacher and Bible study leader for many years.  Volunteered for multiple organizations like Outreach in the Hills, Hospice, Meals on Wheels, IRV Auxiliary, VFW, as well as taking people to their Dr. appointments and treatment centers.  She was an amazing and Godly woman who loved to mentor people, impacting some for life.  We were all so proud of Mom, when at the age of 75, she was awarded Volunteer of the Year with the VFW Ladies Auxiliary for the state of Arkansas.  Theresa loved to sew, making dresses for weddings and parties.  She was a wonderful cook.  Her homemade pies and chicken noodle soup were the best.  Theresa’s children remember going to Arvel and Margaret's garden and picking vegetables, especially tomatoes and green beans.  The worst part for us was having to snip those beans for hours!  She enjoyed going fishing with her husband, playing cards, doing jigsaw puzzles, and playing games, especially scrabble.  Until a few years ago, she could beat most of us.  Theresa loved to play Bingo, and she was able to go to the VFW to play up to the age of 92.  She loved her plants and had such a green thumb.  Theresa loved to feed and watch the birds, especially the hummingbirds.  She loved Spring the most, commenting “look how beautiful the dogwood trees are all bloomed out” and how green the grass was and so many different shades of green when passing a mountain side.  She enjoyed traveling with family and friends.  Some of those trips included Poland to see where her father was born; Medjugorje, Bahamas, Alaska, Hawaii, New Mexico for the balloon fest, New Orleans, Las Vegas, and several trips to Illinois, California, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Kansas to see her children, grandchildren, and siblings.  We were extremely blessed to have our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and even great-great-grandmother, with us for all these years.  She taught us so much, mostly how important God and family are.  She was figuratively our “Mother Theresa”.  Literally.  She will be missed by those who loved her most, her 9 children, Bonnie (Jeff) Fullerton of Roscoe, IL, Dianne Segalla of Loves Park, IL, Peggy (Jim) Halcom of Rockford, IL, Don (Debby Johnson) Littell of Discovery Bay, CA, Judy (Brian) Schutz of Sun Prairie, WI, Marcia (Ken) Polhamus of Aladdin, WY, Ron (Leslie) Littell of Shirley, AR, Barbara (Mike) Wallace of Greenbrier, AR, and Michelle Baxa of Belleville, WI; 23 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; the surviving 2 of 6 siblings, Eddie Nicoski and Lorraine Murray; and sister-in-law, Pat Nicoski.  Predeceased by her parents; husband; sister, Emily Jaskot; and brothers, Leonard and Raymond Nicoski.

Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 16, 2021, in St. Bridget Catholic Church, 600 Clifford Ave., Loves Park.  Entombment in Sunset Memorial Gardens.  Visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, October 15, 2021, in Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., 401 River Lane, Loves Park.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to Dementia Society of America or Hospice Home Care.  May you rest in peace, Mom.  We Love You!