Theresa D. Slaba, 97 of Geddes

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Geddes, with burial in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the church, followed by a 7:00 p.m. rosary/wake. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home of Wagner is in charge of the arrangements.

Theresa Dolores Slaba, the ninth child born to Joseph and Mary (Petrik) Soukup, was born June 8, 1914 on a farm south of Wagner. She passed away peacefully Friday, April 20, 2012 at the Avera Platte Health Center in Platte. Theresa attained the age of 97 years, 10 months and 17 days.

Theresa attended school at Lawrence #3 Country School through the eighth grade. As a young girl, she lived with her brother George and his family in the summer, helping with cleaning, baby sitting and chores. Later she moved to Omaha to work as a nanny. Coming home for Christmas, she was in a car accident and she decided never to go back. In 1933, she worked weekends at Summer's Grocery Store in Wagner and lived with her sister Rose and Frank Kocer, helping them on the farm.

Theresa married Oscar Slaba on September 12, 1938 at St. John's Catholic Church. Three children were blessed to their union. They farmed east of Geddes and moved into Geddes in March of 1964. She worked part time at Harold's Cafe as a cook for a few years. Oscar died August 3, 1989. Theresa continued to live on her own until May of 2009, when she moved to the Platte Assisted Living Center at the age of 94. When this facility closed in December of 2009, she moved to the Wagner Good Samaritan Society on December 27, 2009.

Theresa's pride and joy were her family, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening and loved her flowers and yard. At one time, she had over 70 varieties of roses. Theresa was a great cook and baker. She always had cookies, donuts and kolaches in the freezer to share with all. Theresa will be remembered for her positive attitude. She loved the motto at the Good Samaritan Society, "In Christ's love, everyone is someone".

Theresa was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church, St. Ann's Altar Society, Catholic Workman and the Geddes Civic Club.

Thankful for having shared her life are her children: David and wife Pat, Geddes; Angie Steckley and husband Dick, Geddes; and Theresa Kocer and husband Ernie, Dante; 14 grandchildren; 37 great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Mary Rezac, Dante; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Theresa was preceded in death by her husband; parents; seven brothers: George, Frank, Joe, Charles, Tom, Mike, and Stephen; two sisters: Rose Kocer and Mary Soukup; and grandson-in-law, Mike Fischer.