Theresa J. Collier

Theresa J. (Sarnowski) Collier

Theresa passed away peacefully on Tuesday January 15, 2019, after a nine-year struggle with dementia, at Cherryvale Memory Care in Rockford, Illinois.

Born on October 20, 1929, Theresa was the youngest child of Walter and Mary (Kica) Sarnowski. She was born and raised in Menasha. On April 14,1951, Theresa was united in marriage to Robert E. Collier at St. John the Baptist Church in Menasha. Together they raised a son and 4 daughters.

Theresa was a life-long member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. She proudly served as president of the Holy Rosary Society and kitchen chair for Springfest.

Theresa was an excellent seamstress which included wedding dresses for three of her daughters.
She loved Menasha and being Polish, always trying to include Polish traditions in family life especially in holiday meals. Theresa served as a board member of the Polish/American Society of Wisconsin.

Theresa's joy in life was family and friends who will greatly miss her.

She is survived by five children, seven grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. Surviving family members include: son, Michael & Kim Collier, his daughter Colleen, her daughters Evelyn, Emalee & Piper; daughters, Sheree Joosten & her daughter Cortney & fiance Ryan Dvorachek; Kim & Greg Hartjes & their family, Michele & Brian Striegl, sons Derek, Drew, & Riley, Angie & Dexter McNabb & their children Addison, Michaela, & Natalie Sanderfoot, Matthew & Alivia McNabb; Bryan & Jess Hartjes, sons Gregory & Douglas; Rebecca Collier & fiance Richard Croteau; Vicki & Chris Vereb, children Olivia & Vincent. Her loving sister: Thecla Chaganos. In-laws: Frances Plummer, Dale Collier, Shirley & Basil Everson, Robert Elwood, and many other relatives & friends.

Theresa was proceeded in death by the love of her life Robert, her parents, parents- in -law Festus & Carrie Collier; siblings: Jack & Mary Ann Sarnowski, Agnes & Lester Keller, Andrew & Agnes Sarnowski. In-laws: Arnold & Ruth Collier, Merle & Nevie Collier, Carroll & Ailene Collier, Marjorie & Billie Burns, William & Penny Collier, Betty & George Wells, Lloyd Collier, Phyllis & Robert Arndt, Joseph Collier, Thomas Plummer, Immanuel (Chag) Chaganos and Nancy Elwood; son-in-law: Carl Joosten.

Please join Theresa's family for a celebration in honor of her wonderful life. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 25, 2019 at Wichmann-Laemmrich Funeral Home (312 Milwaukee St., Menasha) beginning at 4:00 PM and concluding with a 7:00 PM remembrance service. Visitation will continue on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at the funeral home at 9:30 with a procession leaving for St. John the Baptist Church at 10:30 AM. A funeral liturgy will be celebrated at 11:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (516 De Pere St., Menasha).

A special thank you to her sister Thecla for all the love she gave her baby sister all her life.

Thank you to the Monday Night Rosary Group for all the prayers and support for over 50 years.

We would also like to thank Cherryvale Place and Heartland Hospice for the excellent care our mother received during her sad illness.