Theresa E. Hemmen

Obituary Theresa E. Hemmen After 46 years without him, Theresa E. Hemmen, 86, joined her beloved and departed husband, Jack, on February 24, 2011. Born April 2, 1924, she was the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Rapacz) Yutrzenka, a hard-working Argyle, Minnesota farm couple. From these humble beginnings, she left to earn a degree at the University of Minnesota. After she graduated from college in 1945, Terry moved to Seattle, Washington where she met John E. Hemmen, MD marrying him in 1950. After moving several times, they settled in Tacoma in 1959. Widowed in 1964 with four young children to raise, she dedicated many years to raising her offspring, guiding them toward professional careers, and ensuring all graduated from universities. During this time she also earned a master's degree and developed her nutrition consulting practice. Her children grown, she pursued her own interests of travel, bridge, and quilting. Additionally, she devoted numerous hours to her causes: her parish, the State Historical Museum, and St. Vincent de Paul. She leaves behind four children: Rosemary Wenzl, Ann Lynch, Peter Hemmen, and Ben Hemmen; eleven grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was the matriarch of the family, having survived her only sibling, Medard, and all of her brothers- and sisters-in-law. Terry is fondly remembered as a woman with firm opinions and a strong will. Terry was a model of self-determination. She chose a career as a dietitian when it was not yet popular to be an independent woman. Yet she was known to be generous, warm and compassionate. Vigil service and rosary will be 7 PM, Friday, March 4, at Gaffney Funeral Home, 1002 S. Yakima, Tacoma, WA. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 AM, Saturday, March 5, at St. Ann's Church, 7001 S. Park, Tacoma, WA. If you would like to honor her with a donation, her selected charities are St. Ann's Church, St. Placid Priory, and the Oregon Province of Jesuits." Please leave online condolences at www.GaffneyCares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.