Teresa Strecker

Longtime Independence resident Teresa Louise Strecker passed into eternal life with her family by her side on Monday, January 9, 2023.

On September 8th, 1943, John and Catherine (Wolken) Paulie welcomed their daughter, Teresa, into this world in South Mound, Kansas. Teresa was a proud 1961 graduate of St. Paul high school, regularly attending reunions. On June 1, 1963, Teresa married the love of her life, Vern Strecker at St. Francis Church in St. Paul, Kansas. In 1967, the two then moved their family to Independence, Kansas. Teresa worked at St Andrew Catholic Church for 25 plus years as the church secretary, while taking care of their three children, Michael, William, and Carol. Teresa was the best mother, never missing an event and always supplying her delicious baked goods for all the children’s classmates on their birthdays. Teresa was a marvelous cook, she enjoyed cooking for others, especially her family. The time she spent with her family was the most precious time to her.

Through the years, Teresa spent countless hours volunteering at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, helping at every possible church function, St. Andrew Altar Society events and the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary. During her free time Teresa loved to travel, and work on quilts, sometimes traveling for her quilting projects. Teresa will be remembered as a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend to all.

Teresa is preceded in death by her parents, John and Catherine Paulie, brothers, Albert, Larry and Mike Paulie, and grandson, Will Malone.

Her memory will live on with her husband, Vern Strecker, sons, Michael (Lisa) Strecker and William (Darla) Strecker, daughter, Carol (Steve) Malone, grandsons, Nathan, Tyler (Chelsea), Isaac, and Jacob Strecker, Joe (Meg), Luke, and Matt Malone, granddaughters, Emilee (Mark) Stadler, Elizabeth, and Madelynn Strecker and Riley Malone, great grandchildren, Caroline, Lucy, and Eleanor Stadler, and Max and Zoe Malone, sisters, Mary Casida, Sister Catherine Paulie, and Sharon (Bob) Higney.

The family will greet friends at St. Andrew Parish Center on Thursday, January 12th from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Reciting of the Rosary will then immediately follow at St. Andrew Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will then be held at St. Andrew Catholic Church on Friday, January 13th at 11:00 am with burial immediately following at Calvary Cemetery in Independence. The family requests memorial contributions be made in Teresa’s name to St. Andrew Catholic School or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. To leave the family a special message of condolence, please visit, www.pottsfuneralhome.com.