Obituary for Theresa M. Clements

Theresa M. Clements passed away Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at her Bangor home. She was surrounded by family members and passed peacefully. She was born in Upper Dutch Creek in La Crosse County, August 1, 1930 to Levi and Emma Cavadini (Kniefl) and is the oldest of five children. Theresa grew up on a farm and worked with her parents, brother, and sisters on the family farm. Theresa loved music and dancing, especially going to dances with her friends where at one of the dances, she met her husband to be, Bernie Clements. After a courtship they married, November 9, 1949. Bernie and Theresa bought a farm in Dutch Creek, that remains today in the family, owned and operated by Mike and Shelly Piske. Prior to taking possession of the farm Bernie & Theresa lived with Theresa’s parents, Levi and Emma Cavadini, where they purchased machinery and livestock for the farm and moved onto their farm the spring of 1950. They operated a successful dairy and hog farm for 35 years, and raised a family, having six daughters and three sons. Bernie managed the hogs and the fieldwork and Theresa managed the dairy operation. When it was time for harvest and chores the whole family worked together. In 1985 Theresa and Bernie built a home in the Bosshard addition, in Bangor, and semi-retired from farming, but they continued to help out on the farm for planting, harvesting and when extra hands were needed with the livestock. In 1985 Theresa was named to the Wisconsin State Advisory Council on Vocational Education. She served as the Vice Chairperson of the State Advisory Committee for Vocational Agriculture and served 2 terms in the late 1980’s and early 1990s. Theresa served as secretary of the La Crosse County Farmers Union and also was a member of Dutch Creek Homemakers, which are the Dutch Creek farm wives, where lifelong friendships were maintained through the remainder of her life. After leaving the farm Theresa continued to stay busy. She loves people and loved to be socially active. Because she is an excellent cook and baker, she employed her skills at Hanson’s IGA, Lloyd’s Speed Stop, and up until the age of 89 at Brick Oven Bakery in La Crosse. She was well known for her pies and her poppy seed (kuchen) coffee cakes. Theresa loved attending the sporting events of her children with Bernie, where they excelled in high school sports, from football, boys and girls track and girls basketball. She was also very proud of the military service of her children, with five having served in the Military. Barbara retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and Bruce retired as a Senior Chief. Theresa and Bernie are devoted to their Catholic Faith. They were active members of St. Peter’s Catholic church in Middle Ridge until their retirement and members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bangor, where she would often bring communion to shut-ins. Theresa is survived by two sisters, Lorraine (Dick) Steinhoff, Jane (Dennis) Anderson, one brother Larry (Phyllis) Cavadini, brother in-law Paul Hauser, four daughters, Debbie (Jim McClintock) Bangor WI, Gail (Kevin Marx) Stoddard WI, Cecilia Clements La Crosse WI, Shelly (Mike Piske) Bangor WI and three sons, Bernie (Kristin) Clements Gladstone MI, Bruce (Debbie) Clements Olalla WA, Brian (Stephanie Everson) Clements Bangor WI. Bernie and Theresa have 20 grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. Steve, Cassie and Lauren, children of Barbara; Ron, Faith, Ben, Danielle, Arlo and Leif, children of Bernie; Cameron, son of Bruce; Roy, Tasha, Ryan, Clifton, children of Debbie; Rachael and Kevin, children of Gail; Hunter and Spencer, children of Cecilia; Samantha, Jonathan and Andrew, children of Shelly. Bernie and Theresa also have 24 greatgrandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren. Theresa is preceded in death, by her husband Bernie, her sister Levina Hauser, two daughters Cynthia and Barbara, also granddaughter Darcie Clements, daughter of Bruce. The family wishes to thank the Mayo Clinic and Franciscan Healthcare Hospice, especially Nurse Tuesday Hansen and Dr. Hilary Bingol for their wonderful care of Mom, and last year Dad, during their last months at home. The family also thanks Rodney and Kathy Kalish for their friendship, looking out for Mom and Dad and helping with the yard and snow removal over the past few years. Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. The Holy Rosary will be prayed at Jandt-Fredrickson funeral home Monday April 5, 2021 at 4:00 PM with visitation until 7:00 PM to follow. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Peter’s Catholic Church, Middle Ridge, Tuesday April 6, 2021, with visitation at 10:00 AM, until Mass time. Monsignor Robert Hundt will be the celebrant. Burial will be in the parish cemetery at a later date.