Theresa Torrey

Theresa (T'rese) Torrey, 86, of Dubuque, completed her life's journey on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 am until 10:15 am on Monday, October 20, 2025 at Holy Spirit Parish - Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Theresa will be at 10:30 am on Monday, October 20, 2025, at Holy Spirit Parish - Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Fr. Jeff Frieden as the Celebrant. Burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque.
Theresa was born in Rickardsville, IA on November 19, 1938, to John C. and Laurene Baumgartner. She was smack dab in the middle of a lineup of eight children that ran alternately between "it's a boy" and "it's a girl." She was given the full name of Theresa (after a beloved Grandma) Christian Elizabeth, as she was born on the feast of St. Elizabeth. While the good graces of her grandmother held, she'd be the first to deadpan you with her wry blue eyes twinkling, "I ain't no saint." She survived that "middle child" syndrome with a little stubbornness, a quick tongue, an a healthy dose of self reliance. She had lots of stories to tell.
A lifelong Dubuquer, Theresa attended St. Raphael Cathedral Grade School and St. Joseph Academy. Her working years were spent at Dubuque Stamp & Manufacturing, a job she excelled at for many years. It was also where she reacquainted with Bob Pregler, the manager of Dubuque Stamp, and the two were married in The Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. He preceded her in death in 1989.
Some years later, Theresa was reunited with friend, Don Torrey, and they married in 1994, spending more than 25 years together until his death in 2020.
There will be no fond recollection here of her "sweet homemade treats or her famous Sunday spreads." T'rese hated cooking and spent little time in the kitchen. She was, however, an unabashed and very fine shopper.
Theresa is survived by her sisters, Margaret Koch and Ileane Deutsch; her brother, Rich Baumgartner; brother-in-law, Roger Shaw, all of Dubuque. She leaves behind many nieces and nephews, as well as grand nieces and nephews. She is also survived by Bob and Don's immediate and extended families, including Mike (Krista) Torrey and their son, Nick.
In addition to Bob and Don, she was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Ed (Sharon) Baumgartner, John (Marlene) Baumgartner, Robert (Ruth) Baumgartner, and sister, Rita Shaw; sister-in-law, Mary Baumgartner; brothers-in-law, Chuck Koch and Wayne Deutsch Sr; and several nieces and nephews.
Thank you to all who made T'rese's final days easier. A special shout out to those who work in the health care system and take the time to know their patients, call them by name and treat them with dignity, kindness, and patience in difficult times. Donita at McDonalds, who offered warm words along with those coveted cookies, is a reminder to us all that small gestures matter.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Dubuque Regional Humane Society or Care Initiatives Hospice of Maquoketa.