Theresia Kizina, 94, of Poughkeepsie, NY passed away on Friday, March 22, 2024 at Vassar Brother’s Medical Center in Poughkeepsie. She was born on October 5, 1929, in Romania, the daughter of Martin and Katharina Schwartz Bach.

Her father was in the military. At the age of 3, she remembers dancing as her father played the accordion in a band.

In 1944 the Russians came so she, her brother and mother left and went to Austria, near Vienna. They traveled on a train with soldiers, and remembers hearing the shooting and running into the corn fields.

In 1951, Cousin Margaret and her husband Mike moved to the states. In April 1956, Theresia followed.

Theresia worked at McAllister dress shop, on Clinton Square as a dressmaker. She had learned to sew when she was still in Romania. She learned English by watching the Yankees on TV, a pastime she enjoyed throughout her life, and at night School at Arlington High School. She became manager of the shop and she continued in this capacity for 20 years until the arterial highway came through and the shop was closed.

Theresia met Bill Kizina in 1957 at Germania. In 1958, as things got more serious, she began to accompany him to church at First Lutheran. From the moment she walked in, “the Church caught my heart and soul, and after all these years, I’m still here.” She attended regularly after that, and it helped that there was a German service. She enjoyed the people, the building and Pastor Schreiber. In 1961, they were married. She had Lutheran instruction and was confirmed. She soon became involved in LCW, Lutheran Church Women, thanks to Mrs. Wolff

Through the years she has been active in many ministries, the Priscilla Circle, visiting at Hudson River Psychiatric Center, helping with Lunch and Listen, dinners, Thanksgiving Baskets, and she has been coordinating the fellowship for our German Services since 1980. Most of you know Theresia’s fondness for coupons. She has been coupon shopping since 1994 and has donated many items to Dutchess Outreach and the Grace Smith House. Through her caring ministry, she has come to know many members.

She was an excellent cook and avid gardener. She enjoyed sharing both the flowers and knowledge about growing them with others.

Theresia is survived by her loving friends and church family. She was predeceased by her husband, Bill. She will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 from 4PM-6PM at the Wm. G. Miller & Son FH, Inc., 371 Hooker Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. The Steuben Society will have a service during the visitation, at 5PM in the Funeral Home. A Funeral service will be celebrated on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 10AM at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 325 Mill St, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Burial will follow in the family plot at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Wm. G. Miller & Son FH, Inc. If you wish to send an online condolence, please visit our website at www.wmgmillerfuneralhome.com