Theresa M Sartz

Theresa was born May 24, 1939, in Beach, North Dakota to Frank and Gertrude (Rising) Susa, the youngest of 11 children. She graduated from Golva High School, Golva, North Dakota in 1957.

She received her Practical Nurse Degree from St. Joseph’s Hospital, Dickinson, North Dakota in 1958. She taught nursing there for 2 years then worked at the Fallon County Hospital, Baker, Montana for 2 years. Her family was her greatest joy.

On February 4, 1961, she married her lifetime best friend and love, Donald D. Sartz at St. Mary Catholic Church, Golva, North Dakota. Together, they moved to Greeley, Colorado in the fall of 1961 where she worked at the Osteopathic Hospital for 25 years and 5 years at North Colorado Medical Center. She demonstrated a lifetime of caring for her family and others.

Don, her husband preceded her in death in 2001. She is survived by her sons Greg Sartz (Dr. Denise), of West Linn, OR, Col. Tim Sartz, of Niceville, FL; granddaughters Chelsey Sartz of Vancouver, B.C., Megan Sartz of Boise, ID., grandson Capt. Brian Sartz of Fairfield, CA and granddaughter Katherine McWilliams (Lt. Cody), of Jacksonville, FL. Other surviving sisters are Clara Michels (Frank) of Beach, ND, Frances Zachmann (Paul) of Baker, MT, and Marie Nistler (Donald) of Golva. ND. She was preceded in death by her parents, five older brothers and their wives, Martin Susa (Gertrude), John Susa (Gertrude), Edward Susa (Elizabeth), Benedict Susa (Marlys), and Rudolph Susa (Nelda) of Longmont, CO, two sisters Dorothy Green (Kirk), Catherine Barthel (Sylvester). She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, their children and many friends. Her family and Catholic faith were the most important things in her life.

She was a member of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, in Greeley, CO and St. John Neumann Roman Catholic Church in Yuma AZ. She gave freely of her time volunteering at both churches, with a smile and the ability to make people feel better about themselves, even during life’s challenges. She truly lived the life of servant service to those who needed help.

She loved and appreciated both her churches and the people, along with her family and special friends where she accomplished so much. She especially enjoyed helping others, camping, traveling and taking photographs of family, and the small, beautiful wonders of the world--she could find “the good” in everything and (almost) everyone. In her later years, she thrived in helping others by organizing, coordinating and supporting blood drives in Arizona.

A Memorial Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church, Greeley, CO and Internment at Sunset Memorial Gardens on June 20. A Mass of remembrance will be said at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Yuma, AZ.

In lieu of flowers to honor her life, contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic School in Greeley, CO or St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Yuma, AZ.