Theresa Koehler

Theresa Mae (Kristof) Koehler, of the Birch community, passed away February 29, 2020 surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services are set for 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 5, 2020 at the Evangelical United Church of Christ in Lyons, with Pastors Darrin Holub and Jacqueline Lamensky officiating. Burial will follow at St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in Deanville. A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at Strickland Funeral Home in Caldwell, Texas.

Theresa was born on May 11, 1941 in the San Antonio Prairie Community to Frank W. and Lydia (Leshikar) Kristof. She attended the San Antonio Prairie School from the first through fifth grade and the Deanville School from the sixth through eighth grade. She graduated from Caldwell High School in 1959. While attending Caldwell High School she travelled to Abilene to play in the state volleyball tournament. After high school, she attended the Durham Business College in Austin, Texas.

She met the love of her life, Eldie Koehler, on July 4 at Deanville Hall and they were married for 56 wonderful years. She was a member of the Evangelical United Church of Christ in Lyons where she taught Sunday School many years, helped serve in the kitchen and was known as a “cookie lady” during VBS.

Theresa could always be found outdoors “tinkering” with something. She enjoyed fishing, riding her gator, working in their large garden and canning vegetables. She also enjoyed sewing and was known for her sock monkeys and chicken potholders. In her later years, she taught herself to crochet and made many treasures for her family. Eldie and Theresa always enjoyed playing dominos together and making their famous sausage every winter. Theresa cherished her time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Theresa is preceded in death by her husband, Eldie, parents Frank W. and Lydia Kristof, and sister, Betty Owens.

She is survived by daughter and son-in-law Susie and Gene Chmelar of Caldwell, daughter and son-in-law Nita and Jack Stifflemire of Caldwell, daughter and son-in-law Lisa and Michael Light of Carrollton, and son Kurt Koehler and fiancé Dena Janish of Somerville; grandchildren, Logan and wife, Jennifer Davis of New Braunfels, Tammi and husband, Brad Skrhak of Caldwell, Callie Jones of Caldwell, Leighton Light and wife, Rylee of Yukon, Oklahoma and Carson Janish of Somerville; 4 great-grandchildren, Kyler Davis, Quindalyn Davis, Bode Jones and Casen Skrhak. Also surviving her are sisters, Frances Duncan of Camas, Washington, Gladys Engelmann and husband Milton of Caldwell, Linda Faubion and husband, Tommy of Bryan, and brother Frank Kristof and wife, Shirley of Caldwell, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Logan Davis, Leighton Light, Brad Skrhak, Carson Janish, Dennis Engelmann and Billy Kristof.