Theresa Rampenthal

Theresa M. Rampenthal, 95, of Loves Park passed away peacefully Sunday, February 28, 2021, with family by her side.  Born November 28, 1925, in Belvidere, the daughter of Perry J. and Marie (McColley) Haas.  The family moved to Freeport when Theresa was a young child.  She attended St. Mary’s (primary) graduating in 1939 and Aquin High School graduating in 1943.  During her senior year, she worked at Micro Switch making government parts and received a Production Award from the Army/Navy.  Theresa married Keith C. Rampenthal on December 3, 1943, at St. Mary’s Church in Freeport.  Shortly after their marriage Keith and Theresa took a train to Bremerton, WA, to serve their country as civilians in the Naval shipyards, Theresa as a secretary and Keith as a welder.  Their first-born child, Trudy (Art) Clark, was born in Bremerton.  When their contract expired, they returned to Illinois and built their house in Loves Park.  The family grew by five more children, Pamela Hodge, Kay (Tim) Elliott, Bradley (Barbara) Rampenthal, Douglas Rampenthal and Jeanne (Gary) Walton.  As the years passed the family grew adding 21 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.  Theresa was a fulltime homemaker before opening Keith's Welding Shop with her husband, she was co-owner and secretary bookkeeper.  Theresa loved God, her family, and her country.  She was a loving wife and mother who devoted her life to her family.  She could fix broken toys and take the hurt out of skinned knees and mend the pants torn in the fall.  She was a great cook and every Sunday, for many years after her children were adults, she continued to have her ever growing family over for dinner.  She enjoyed her pets, drawing, reading, gardening, sewing and crafts.  Theresa looked forward to the winters in Florida and spending time with her lifelong friends Ginny, Maude, and Ed.  She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Keith; son, Douglas; grandchildren, Thomas Gibbs, Toni Levy and Pamela Villarreal; brother, Perry; sister, Pat Gartner; father-in-law, Ben and wife, Florence; mother-in-law, Gladys Ritter and husband, Francis; son-in-law, Art; dear friend and sister-in-law, Virginia Haas; and special friends, Helen, Ed, and Maude.

Service at 11 a.m. Monday, March 15, 2021, in Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., 401 River Lane, Loves Park, with walk through visitation from 10 a.m. to service time.  Private family entombment in Sunset Memorial Gardens.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established.