Teresa Cristan

She was born on May 16, 1931, in Iron Mountain, on the 15th wedding anniversary of her parents, the late Otto and Gunda (Stefani) Cristan. Teresa lived in Caspian as a child, then attended high school at the former St. Joseph Catholic Academy in Green Bay, Wis., graduating with the Class of 1949.

She was employed as an LPN for 19 years at St. Anthony Hospital in Milwaukee before moving to Oshkosh and working for 14 1/2 years at Mercy Medical Center.

Teresa was a member of Most Blessed Sacrament in Oshkosh, Wis., and a former member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Caspian. Besides volunteering at her church, with her local hospice, and various other causes, she helped whoever she could. Teresa especially loved her 15 years of service in the Catholic foreign missions with Papal Volunteers for Latin America, serving in such places as Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Panama, Jamaica, and Mexico.

In addition to her nursing degree, Teresa continued her education to become a licensed beautician, and certified phlebotomist and, between mission trips, she continued to work toward her bachelor’s degree in health education at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, graduating with honors in 1986. Her many skills and talents were helpful in her mission work to benefit those less fortunate than her. Even into her 90s, Teresa continued to study Spanish with the intention of continuing her mission work to benefit others, which is what made her life meaningful and brought her the most joy.

Teresa’s nieces, nephews, their children and grandchildren fondly remember how she always took the kids on adventures and sang children’s songs with them. When she traveled, she would bring home gifts for them as well as make slide shows that she would show their classes at St. Agnes School. They also remember that every Christmas she came home with a big bag full of presents and put them under their tree. She was admired for her beauty and was even the runner-up for Miss Milwaukee!

Teresa is survived by her nieces and nephews, David (Nancy) Cristan of Stevens Point, Wis., Gene (Carla) Cristan of Lake Mary, Fla., Mary (Robert) Baumgartner of Iron River, Rose (Joel) Margolus of Victoria, B.C., Canada, Theresa (Stephen) Bangle of Traverse City, Mich., Tony (Debbie) Cristan of Iron River, Margaret Cristan of New York City, and Regina Cristan of Portland, Ore., and extended family and friends.

She was also preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, Eugene and Rose (Tirapelli) Cristan.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River. The Rosary will be said during the visitation.

Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Caspian, with Father Mike Woempner to offer the Mass of Christian Burial.

Interment will be in Stambaugh Cemetery in the spring.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Teresa A. Cristan online at www.jacobsfuneralhomeir.com.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River.