Theresa A. Stecklein

Theresa A. (Leib) Stecklein, 92, of Cascade, Iowa, passed away peacefully, Saturday, May 24, 2025, at River Bend Retirement Community in Cascade, Iowa, surrounded by her family.

Visitation for Theresa will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 29, 2025, at the Reiff Funeral Home in Cascade, Iowa, where a prayer service will be held at 3:30 p.m.  Visitation will continue after 9 a.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025, at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian burial for Theresa will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025, at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Cascade, Iowa, with Rev. Mark Osterhaus presiding.   Burial will be held in St. John’s Cemetery in Placid, Iowa.

She was born October 24, 1932, in Placid, Iowa, daughter of Percy and Alice (Hubert) Leib.  She received her education from the Placid Country Schools.  On January 3, 1955, she was united in marriage to Roland N. “Rollie” Stecklein at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cascade, Iowa. The couple farmed in the rural Cascade area for almost 40 years.   Together, Rollie and Theresa shared “70 Years” of marriage.  Their love story continues even in death, as they passed away just 34 days apart as Rollie preceded her in death on April 19, 2025.  Her heart was broken but now they are “Forever Together!”  They will be dearly missed by all who loved them.

Theresa was a housewife who took care of the home.   Once the kids were raised, she went to work as a waitress at Bob’s Café in Cascade.  She enjoyed gardening, canning, baking, and will be remembered for her delicious monster cookies.  Theresa always made sure Sundays were a time for family togetherness with picnic lunches, fishing, and visiting.  She loved to sing silly songs, tell stories and was known for her quick wit.  

In 1988, the couple retired from their farm and were blessed with many years of retirement where they enjoyed fishing, traveling, casino trips, playing cards, and dominoes with family and friends.  Theresa was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, who cherished her time making memories with her grandchildren.

She was a member of St. Matthias Parish in Cascade, Iowa.

She is survived by her seven children, David (Karen) Stecklein of MO, Julie (Mike) Wheaton of Peosta, Tim Stecklein of Cascade, Tom (Mary Beth) Stecklein of Temple Hill, Jolene Stecklein of Bernard (& Andrew O’Connell), Jill (Wade) Koopmann  and Jeff (Kelly) Stecklein both of Placid; 13 Grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; five sisters-in-law, Shirley Hoffmann of Cascade, Judi (Al) Westhoff of Portland, OR, Marian Stecklein of Bellevue, Barbara Stecklein of Cascade and Shirley Stecklein of Monticello.          

She is also preceded in death by her parents; a great grandson, Braxton; four brothers, Donald Leib, Howard Leib, Richard Leib, and Dennis (Madonna) Leib; two sisters, Delores (Cyril “Billy”) Urbain, and Dola (Edwin) Kramer; father and mother-in-law, Edmund R. and Martina M. (Kurt) Stecklein; three brothers-in-law, Ed Stecklein, Clem Stecklein and Lloyd Stecklein; four sisters-in-law, Mary Eileen Stecklein, Madonna (Bill Otting and Roger Tucker) Otting-Tucker, Marina (Elmer) Lehmann and Jane (Jim) Goblirsch. 

Our family would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff of River Bend Retirement Community for all the compassionate care you have given to our parents over the years.  A special thanks to Shay and Faith of Hospice of Dubuque and Fr. Mark Osterhaus for their support and comforting presence.

An online video tribute may be viewed and online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com