Soerries, Teresa Louise, passed away peacefully on her 97th birthday in Tulsa, OK. Teresa was born April 10, 1920 in Clarksville, AR to Joseph and Josephine Oberste. Teresa, one of nine children, moved to Tulsa after high school to work for McDonnell Douglas where she married Bernard B. Soerries (one of thirteen children) in 1948 in Clarksville, AR. They created their loving family and established their home where they welcomed four children into their lives - Robert, Patricia, Joe and Barbara. Bernard and Teresa enjoyed many family driving vacations to visit relatives across the U.S.
Teresa was preceded by Bernard (July 27,1976), her parents and seven siblings. She is survived by her children Robert (Charlene) Tulsa, OK, Patricia (Ron) Frakes Broken Arrow, OK, Joe (Susie Janowski) Tulsa, OK and Barbara Maloney, Colorado Springs, CO. Her baby sister, Mary Yutterman of Muldrow, OK, is the only surviving sibling to mourn her passing. She is also survived by nine grandchildren - Ken (Kelley) Soerries, Joy Marie (Todd) Galliart, Michelle (J.T.) Taylor, Brenda (Ben) Liniger, Travis (Caroline Haddock) Frakes, Amber Kerin Frakes, Garrett Maloney, Rebecca Maloney and Jessica Maloney. Thirteen great-grandchildren- Jacob Soerries, McKayla and Alyssa Galliart, Tiffany, Seth and Dylan Taylor, Benjamin, Brynlee and Bax Liniger, Cameron and Jordan Frakes, Braden Kerin and Michael Fernandez.
Teresa was a lifelong devout Catholic and active member of the Church of the Madalene from 1950 until her passing. She was an avid gardener who enjoyed canning the fruits of her labor. Teresa was renowned for her delicious homemade meals. Her delectable baked goods (shared especially at Madalene Bake Sales and at Christmas), birthday cakes and legendary chocolate chip cookies (that could be traded for anything). Her creative talents and frugality were exhibited in her many crafts such as crochet, sewing, embroidery, plastic canvas, etc.
Teresa enjoyed spending time with her extended family playing board games and doing word searches. In her 63 years living in her Tulsa home, she maintained many lifelong friendships with the neighbors including over 50 years with Thetis Masterson and her family.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to either Catholic Charities of Tulsa or the Church of the Madalene's Social Concerns Programs.
A rosary will be said at 7PM Monday, April 17, 2017 and a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday April 18th at 10AM both at the Church of the Madalene. Interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery.
Moore's Southlawn (918) 663-2233