Theresa "Teri" Marie Lehner

Teri Lehner, whose life story inspired thousands with its unshakable courage, passed away after decades

of facing — and overcoming — extraordinary challenges.

Born September 4, 1956, Teri lost both parents by the age of eight and grew up in foster care. She worked her way through college, earned a business degree, and built a successful career including many

years at Time Insurance in Milwaukee where she was a Project Coordinator.

At 26, her life changed in an instant when a faulty balcony railing gave way, leaving her a paraplegic. Even then, she found love — and on her wedding day, using braces and a walker, fulfilled her dream of

walking down the aisle.

Teri survived both ovarian and breast cancer, endured a ruptured intestine, months in a coma, and serious brain injury. Through it all, she raised two children, volunteered in hospitals, became a spokeswoman for the National Spinal Cord Injury Association, and drove herself and her family anywhere they needed to go in her specially equipped van.

She never measured her life by what she had lost. “I still have my sight. I still have my hearing. I can still think. I have strong arms and hands I can use,” she once said. “I am just very grateful.” Teri’s life was a testament to resilience, gratitude, and the belief that love and purpose can outlast even the greatest hardship.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mariano Nino and Emile Berdine, and her father and mother-in-law, Norbert and Grace Lehner.

She is survived by her loving husband, Peter; her son, Ross; her daughter Trina; her brother Robert; her stepbrother, Robert; her stepsister Barbara; her in-laws, Pamela, Paul, Penny, and Peggy as well as cherished nieces, nephews, dear friends, and a community forever changed by her example.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to assist with funeral and medical expenses may be sent to Peter Lehner,

6382 Pale Pavillion Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89139.

A Funeral Mass will be held in Teri's honor on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Christ the King Catholic Church, 4925 S. Torrey Pines Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89118. She will be laid to rest at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 S. Veterans Dr., Boulder City, NV 89005.