Theresa Ann Wilkinson, 65

Theresa Ann (Molenda) Wilkinson was born on January 21, 1958, to Jim and Maxine Molenda in Butte, Montana. Theresa died on August 3, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. She loved her family with all her heart. She was always concerned with everyone else's health and happiness.

Theresa attended Whitehall Elementary and graduated from Whitehall High School. She made friends wherever she went. She had a way of brightening up everyone's day whom she encountered. She had the greatest sense of humor. She had a straightforward and no-nonsense kind of attitude.

She worked at the gift shop at Lewis & Clark Caverns after high school. She met and fell in love with Dennis Wilkinson; they were married on August 20, 1976. She also worked for the Whitehall schools in the custodial department. She taught CCD for younger children at the

Catholic church for a time. She then worked at the Town Pump in Whitehall, until she was injured and was forced to quit due to her injuries.

She and Dennis were blessed with a son, Denny, and a daughter, Betsy. They were the loves of her life as only children can be. She was so proud of them both. Then her grandchildren were born, and she fell in love again and again, like only a grandmother can. Mackenzie was her first grandchild, then Michael, Aubrey, Tyse, and Letty; Payton and Marcus are her bonus grandchildren. She enjoyed watching all her grandchildren during football, wrestling, dance recitals, and numerous school programs. She was always there to support them.

Theresa loved to travel and visited Hawaii a couple of times, Florida and Las Vegas several times. She also visited her brother Pete and his family in Kansas.

She could crochet beautifully, was an excellent baker, she loved gardening, and had some of the most beautiful peonies and rose bushes. She enjoyed reading and spent many hours at the library.

She was proceeded in death by her parents Jim and Maxine Molenda, her brother Jim, her granddaughter Mackenzie, her mother-in-law Vi Wilkinson, her father-in-law Dick Wilkinson, grandparents, uncles, aunts, niece Sami Jo Molenda, and numerous cousins.

She is survived by her husband Dennis, son Denny (Casey), daughter Betsy (Jayden), sister-in-law Suzanne, sisters Karen Cruz (Angel), Denice Rust (Paul), and Gena Grund (Bob); sister-in-law Renae Molenda, brothers Joe Molenda (Kim), Pete Molenda (Bert), Matthew Molenda,

and uncle Ron Molenda. She is also survived by grandchildren Michael, Payton, Aubrey, Tyse, Letty, and Marcus; numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins, as well as special friend Christina Bakke.

She will be forever loved and missed, more than words can ever express.

A viewing will be held Wednesday, August 16, 2023, from 6 PM to 8 PM at K&L Mortuary in Whitehall. Services will be Thursday, August 17, 2023, at 10 AM at K&L Mortuary with a reception to follow at St. Theresa's Catholic Church.