Theresa A. Davis

When reflecting on the life of Theresa Davis, it is easy to see that whether it was her home or her heart, it was full. She was generous and friendly with a warm and inviting personality that drew others near with ease. Theresa was deeply devoted to her family, and there was nothing she cherished more than being surrounded by her loved ones. Although she treasured her role as a mother, she just might have argued that nothing was better than becoming a grandmother and great-grandmother later in life. A longtime resident of the community she loved, she touched the lives of those too numerous to count. Deeply loved, she will be forever missed.

It is impossible to recall the 1930s and not reflect on the trials and great hardship of the time. The entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression, which left countless American families struggling to make ends meet. Things only went from bad to worse when a drought covered our nations heartland for nearly two years during this time, adding more strain to an already stressed agricultural industry. Despite the trials around them, Frank and Opal (Brinneman) Kiefer were able to shift their focus to an exciting time in their own lives as they announced the birth of the baby girl they named Theresa on October 24, 1937, in Huntington, Indiana. She was one of fourteen children as she was joined in the Kiefer family by her sisters, Chaltha, Betty, Mary, and Esther, and her brothers, Joseph, Henry, Richard, George, Robert, Matthew, Harry, Glen, and Tom.

In many ways, Theresa was a young girl of her generation. She learned to swim, but not in the normal way as she had to learn real quick after her bother threw her into Lake Clair! It turned out well since Theresa developed a love for swimming and she was also the catcher on a local softball league. She attended Huntington Schools and graduated from Huntington Catholic High School in 1956.

A bit later on, Theresa moved to Whitley County, and this was the place she called home for more than 60 years. She spent 30 years working as a hose fitter at Dana Weatherhead in Columbia City until retiring in 2000.

There was never anything of greater significance in Theresas life than her loved ones. She was blessed to become a mother to three amazing children including Glenna, Tracey, and Jeffrey. When her children were younger, Theresa worked in the school cafeteria. There, she became very well-loved by countless other children over the years. Theresas home quickly became the place to be as her door was always open. When grandchildren came along, Theresa couldnt be happier, and they loved being at her house as well. Pets were always an important part of their home, and over the years Theresa and her family had every pet you could ever imagine. In fact, they even had a pet rooster that attacked a neighbor. She looked forward to family holidays and reunions as well as class reunions.

Throughout her life Theresa was one to keep busy. Within her community she was a member of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church and Rosary Sodality. In her free time, Theresa enjoyed watching Murder She Wrote, listening to music, and just being with her family. For as long as she was able, she enjoyed walking.

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Theresa Davis was such a blessing to everyone she met. She was hardworking and kind with a sensitive spirit that made her so very special. Theresa was deeply devoted to her family, and she leaves behind a timeless legacy that they will proudly carry on in her footsteps.

Theresa A. Davis, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 2:35 a.m. on Friday, June 9, 2017, at Saint Anne Home Retirement Community, Fort Wayne, IN. Theresas family includes her children, Glenna (Michael) Fry, Tracey (Michael) Scott, and Jeffrey (Nancy) Davis, all of Columbia City; 6 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Chaltha Taylor of Huntington. Theresa was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Joseph, Henry, Richard, George, Robert, Matthew, Harry, Glen, and Tom Kiefer; sisters, Betty Kiefer, Mary Karst, and Esther Warkentein; and grandson, Nathan Fry. Friends may call on Monday, June 12, 2017, from 3 7 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 13, 2017, at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 315 South Line Street, Columbia City, with calling one hour prior. Burial will follow in St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions in memory of Theresa may be made to Whitley County Humane Society or to American Alzheimers Association. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to sign the online guest register or to send a condolence.