Teresa was born August 4, 1953, in Stayton, Oregon, to Edward Alexander and Dorothy Antionette (Lambrecht) Minten. She grew up in Stayton with three brothers and two sisters, graduating from Stayton High School in 1971. Teresa worked at the Paris Woolen Mill in Stayton with her mom, sister, and aunt for a little while. On December 31, 1971, Teresa married her high school sweetheart, Ken Ely, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Stayton. Ken and Teresa soon welcomed their first son and 364 days later their second son arrived. The boys definitely kept Teresa on her toes and often her young nephew was at their home too, all three little guys alternately fighting and playing with one another, making the best of memories. It was several years before their two daughters were born, completing their family. When they had free time, the young family spend time camping, fishing, hunting, and riding ATVs, Teresa always making sure necessities were packed and everyone was fed and cleaned up after. They lived in West Scio while the kids were growing up, and after the boys graduated high school, the family moved to Lyons where the girls would go to school. Even though the marriage ultimately would not survive, Ken and Teresa would remain amicable and were there for the family. Teresa bought a home for herself in Aumsville where she spent the rest of her days. Teresa loved her family above all else and was always smiling and laughing when she was able to spend time with loved ones. She loved her children and their spouses and adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Throughout her whole life she was close to all her siblings and talked to each of them frequently if not daily. Through the years she was close to all her brother’s wives, even through death and divorces, they remained dear to Teresa, and she to them. One thing almost everyone has said is that she was the person they could always talk to, about anything, without ever fearing judgement. When her girls were teens, their friends would spend endless hours at the Ely home, Teresa almost a second mom to them all. She was always there for anyone who needed her. The thing that defined Teresa was her servant’s heart and she was a caregiver to the core, always putting others well ahead of herself, even if you could tell that she was in need too. When the kids got older, Teresa worked at the Lyons store and Gene’s meat market for years, lighting up her customers’ days. But when she began working at Marian Estates as a caregiver it was obvious what she was born to do. She always took the best care of her residents and went above and beyond to give them special care, whether it was extra time to talk or a comforting backrub. The residents all loved her and she was often voted employee of the year. Teresa also had the honor of lovingly caring for her own mother so she could remain at her home until she passed. Faith was an important part of Teresa’s life and she attended Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Stayton her entire life until the last several years when she moved to Aumsville and attended St. Mary’s in Shaw. She faithfully prayed the Rosary, always on her knees, even if it was painful, because she could not imagine praying any other way. Teresa prayed often for her family and the people she loved.Although her life was not always easy, she endured with humility, and always chose to have a good attitude. For many years she struggled with various health issues, but recently became gravely ill and ended up in the hospital. Her sister Ruth Ann said it well, that she prayed for a miracle (we all did) that Teresa get well, but she got Heaven because we don’t write the story. The story God wrote for her began a new chapter on Friday, November 13, 2020, when Teresa escaped the trials of this world and began her eternity in the presence of her Savior. Teresa was preceded in death by her parents Ed and Dorothy Minten and her brothers Robert and Danny, and her brother-in-law Bill Foreman. She is survived by her siblings Ruth Ann Foreman, Irene (Irving) Jackson, and Ralph Minten; children Kevin (Tiffany) Ely, Michael (Melissa) Ely, Karen (Michael) Goodell, and Debra (Cory) Johnston; grandchildren KJ (Natasha) Ely, Alyssa Ely, Kendra Graf, Austin Graf, Ryder Ely, Levi Ely, Shyanne (James) Peterson, Destiny Goodell, Ethan Goodell, Hannah Ely, Cody Johnston, Andrew Johnston, Brendan Johnston, Mackenzie Johnston, and Madison Johnston; and great-grandchildren Anthony “AJ” Wentlein and Gracelyn Peterson; and numerous much loved nieces and nephews and extended family. Recording of Rosary and Christian Mass of Burial: https://my.gather.app/remember/teresa-ely