Theresa M. Gerou, age 89, of Escanaba, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, September 18, 2020, at Lakeview Assisted Living in Gladstone.
Theresa was born April 10, 1931 in Glenmore, Wisconsin, the daughter of Peter and Agnes (Miron) Peterson. Theresa graduated from high school in Perkins, MI. Throughout her life she was busy raising her eight children and later worked at Holy Name Catholic School and Jim’s Dari Kreme. She enjoyed reading, knitting, crocheting and having coffee get-togethers with family and friends, and in earlier years cross-country skiing with her sisters. Theresa was also a devoted parishioner of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Escanaba. Theresa was united in marriage to Adelore J. Gerou on April 11, 1951, and together they spent 69 years making wonderful memories. Theresa will be deeply missed by so many.
Theresa is survived by her husband Adelore, sons Al (Cathy) Gerou, Gary (Julie) Gerou, Mark (Kerry) Gerou, Anthony (Wendy) Gerou, and Jim (Ruth) Gerou, daughters Mary (Joe) Harvey, Anne (John) Swedberg, and Teri McMaines, sister Eunice Vandecaveye, 9 grandchildren, 11great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Gordon Nelson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Theresa is preceded in death by her parents, brother Joe Peterson, sisters Louise Richards, Margaret Peterson, Pat Nelson, and Frances Hicks.
Mass of Christian Burial honoring Theresa will be held on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 11:00 AM at St. Thomas Church in Escanaba, MI, with Rev. Fr. Rick Courier officiating. Theresa will be laid to rest in Holy Cross Cemetery. Due to current times, masks are required for mass.
WENDY KRIEKELS - DENVER, CO
My condolences to the large, gregarious and beautiful Gerou family for such a great loss. I am so saddened to think of Aunt Theresa being unreachable by a simple phone call. She was always so sweet to me. Especially after my mom passed, I enjoyed so many conversations with her and she brought me such comfort. Even though my mom was gone, I knew my Godparents still were here and loved me. She was such a matriarch and I’m not sure who will be “steering the ship” now. My only consolation is that she is another member of the legion of angles looking over us.
Sending you all love and prayers from Denver,
Wendy, Carlo, Jack and Tristan Kriekels
Gary & Becky Lehman - Escanaba, MI
Our condolences to the entire family on your loss. RIP Theresa!
Lynn Chylek - Escanaba , Mi
Ah yes…..the last matriarch of Washington avenue…that is how I thought of Theresa…my sisters and I have very fond memories of all the Gerou family…we lived right next door! What a wonderful childhood we had! Remember the big climbing tree between our properties? I think the only fights we had with the Gerou kids was who “owned” that tree! The energy Theresa had! Her laundry was always hung out on the line by 8 am…and the baked goods…she always send a loaf of warm crusty bread over on her baking day! After my mom passed in 2005 I often visited Theresa and Adelore …Theresa and I sat in her dining room had coffee and homemade coffee cake and talked about the memories of the neighborhood…sometimes we laughed til we cried…I am so grateful for those visits…they actually helped me not miss my mom so much. Thankyou Theresa…you will be missed…
Traci Blundell - SHEPPERTON, UK
We send our sincerest sympathy to Uncle Jr and all the cousins and their families. Aunt Theresa’s Funeral Mass was beautiful and I felt very privileged to tune in from England. She was an amazing and powerful woman who will always be remembered. Rest in peace Aunt Theresa! With love from, Rich, Traci, Sam and Maria
Amanda Marks - Savannah, GA
My deepest sympathies to Adelore and the rest of the family. I grew up across the street from her, my grandmother and her were very good friends. I work many wonderful afternoons with Theresa at Jim’s. She taught me how to sweep properly, I know it is silly however every time I see someone sweeping incorrectly I immediately think of her. She also made the best banana bread, she would bring it to the Dari still warm. My banana bread is nowhere near her banana bread and I have tried. My deepest sympathies, she was an amazing lady ❤️
Larry Babcock - Lakewood, CO
Please know that Uncle Jr. and all our wonderful cousins and families are in our prayers. Rest in peace, Aunt Theresa! Love Larry.