Therese Marie Lauerman

Therese Marie Lauerman was born on December 3, 1935, in Hammond, Indiana and passed away peacefully on December 30, 2025, in Appleton, with loved ones beside her.

"The love of a family is God's greatest blessing."

Therese's parents were John and Angeline (Lenart) Depa. She was the youngest of ten children, which included Minnie (Joe) Murzyn, Lily (Matt) Lech, Stella (Paul) Kochis, Bruno (Vera) Depa, Wanda (Pete) Paliga, Bernice (Tom) Paliga, Stanley Depa, Sophie (Steve) Bandura, and John Depa, Jr. She also has many special nieces and nephews and loved belonging to a large family.

"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved."

Therese met Larry Lauerman Jr. when they were young teenagers. They married on January 7, 1956. They were able to celebrate 22 anniversaries before Larry unexpectedly passed on March 17, 1978. They had six children: Randy (Susie) Lauerman, Cheri (Dennis) Vanden Berg, Rick (Sue) Lauerman, Lori Lauerman, Tami (John) Peters, and Mary "Angel" (Mike) Barlow.

"Being a grandma and great grandma, doesn't make me old, it makes me BLESSED."

Therese's grandchildren: Jennifer (Craig) Laurin, Joyelle (Dan) Mead, Jodi (Dave) Neuber, Michael (Sarah) Zimmerman, Rachel (Brandon) Bukovitz, Dan (Faith) Lauerman, Jon (Abby) Lauerman, Luke Lauerman, Tanner Peters, Tarah Peters, Ally Barlow, Mandy (Brandon) Lyle, Nathan Barlow, Lexi Barlow and Kelli Anderson; Great grandchildren: Devin, Jessica, Brett, Bryce, Brody, Brock, Bryar, Breely, David, Briella, Ava, Hudson, Weston, Jasmine, Alanna, Eli, Juliet, Amos, Derek, Alia, Damian, Keira, and Kynslie.

"Bloom where you are planted."

Therese lived in Hammond, IN 1935 – 1965. Gary, IN 1965 – 1969, Racine, WI 1969 – 1973, and Appleton, WI for the rest of her life. She had various jobs in retail and in hospital admitting offices in all the places she lived. She enjoyed people, including co-workers, customers and patients. She reluctantly retired at age 78.

"I love the feel of putting words on paper."

From grade school on, Therese enjoyed writing poetry. She also enjoyed journaling, writing letters (and receiving them), filling many books with proverbs, quotations, song lyrics, and anything that inspired her. Her favorite Bible verse was likely "God is Love". She aspired to be someone that loved deeply and unconditionally.

"God gave us memory that we might have roses in December."

Therese is unforgettable. She loved life and the people that touched hers. She loved traveling, reading, playing games, going to movies, going to musicals and concerts, photographs, memories, the view from her balcony, rainbows, sunsets, and so much more. She had a knack for decorating and picking out the perfect gift for loved ones. She loved to laugh, even at her own foibles.

Besides her husband, parents, and siblings, Therese was preceded in death by her beloved grandson, Larry Lauerman, parents-in-law Lawrence and Isabelle (Beanblossom) Lauerman Sr., brother-in-law Ray Lauerman, and sister-in-law Judy Helbing. Her surviving brother-in-law, Dave Lauerman, lives in Appleton.

A celebration of Therese's life will take place at the Brettschneider Trettin-Nickel Funeral Chapel, 606 N. Oneida St., Appleton, Saturday, January 10, from 9 am to 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, Therese's family suggests donating to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or an online donation can be made at www.st.jude.org

Thanks to Dr. Tara Frerks and nurse Becky for your amazing care and support throughout the years. Thanks to the staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital for your guidance and kindness, Thanks to Brother Ray, from St. Joseph Parish, for your presence and comforting words and prayers.