Theresa "Terri" Baukema

Theresa "Terri" Baukema, 86, was born May 18, 1930, in St. Paul, Neb., and died on Monday, Jan. 16, 2017, in Billings.

Born Theresa Anne Rosenthal, second youngest of 14 children to Joe and Belle Rosenthal, Theresa grew up during the Great Depression in Nebraska farm country, and often told stories of hand-me-down clothes, squabbles with older sisters, eating lard sandwiches, and the simple pleasures of small town childhood. She loved Nebraska, her family, and her hometown of Platte Center, where in later years, her memories often returned.

Theresa left home at 16 for the Catholic sisterhood, living as a novice for three years, teaching school in Zuni, N.M. She left prior to her final vows, but kept a photo of herself in her nun's habit, ready to show anyone who doubted the story.

After leaving the convent, Theresa kept house for room and board while taking a secretarial course. For the next twenty years, she grew from being shy, quiet "Theresa" into capable, sought-after "Terri," known for lightning-fast shorthand and typing skills and an ability to organize and get things done.

While a secretary for the Air Force in Colorado, Theresa married Maj. F. Guinn Shannon. Their son, Michael Shannon, was born in 1954. Terri and Guinn parted, leaving Mike with many stories of life with a single mom, chasing various opportunities in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, and Montana. Mike recalls how, with thrift and hard work, his mom purchased a home and sent him to a couple years of private military school, notable accomplishments for a single mother in those days.

In 1968, Terri left the city and married rancher Rinke Baukema in Montana's remote Powder River County. A second son, Toman "Toby" Baukema was born in 1969. Rinke and Terri left ranch life in 1975 and moved to Forsyth, where they started a rental business, operating the Carriage Inn Apartments and commercial building for a number of years, giving Toby the benefit of a happy, small town childhood.

Shortly after Rinke passed in 1994, Terri moved to Billings, where she lived until her death.

Baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1974, Terri leaves behind many friends in that faith. She was a survivor, tough and resourceful even in declining health, living on her own until the final nine days of her life.

Preceding Theresa in death were husbands Guinn Shannon and Rinke Baukema; parents Joe and Belle Rosenthal; sisters Josephine, Marcella, Frances, Evelyn, Delores, Dorothy, Justine, Alice, Delphine, Loretta; and brother Larry. Survivors include brother Robert Rosenthal of Colorado, sister Katherine Goering of Nebraska; sons Mike (Kathy) Shannon and Toby (Veronika) Baukema, both of Billings; grandchildren Travis and Stephanie Shannon of Billings, Shiloh (Susan) Shannon of Utah, Joshuah (Alicia) Shannon of Oregon, Kaitlynn Baukema of Florida; great-grandchildren A'reale and Free Shannon of Billings and Jasmine and Sophia Shannon of Oregon.

A memorial will be held at 11:30 a.m., Jan. 28, at the Spring Creek Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, 405 South 36th Street West, in Billings. Cremation has taken place with inurnment planned at St. Joseph Cemetery in Platte Center, Neb.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.heightsfamilyfuneralhome.com.