Theresa Genevieve (Grothe) Zila peacefully passed away on Friday, November 29, 2024, at the Lake Mills Care Center, with her dearest friend, Sandy Skatter, at her side.

A memorial Mass for Theresa will be held at St James Catholic Church in Forest City on Saturday December 7th at 1:30pm. There will be a visitation one hour prior, and a Rosary beginning at 12:15pm. Burial will follow at St James Catholic Cemetery, with refreshments at the Church afterward.

Theresa was born in Sioux City, Iowa to Joe and Rose (Hettenbach) Grothe on April 23, 1928 (a date she proudly shared with Shirley Temple) and was the eldest of 8 children. Her family moved to Creighton, Nebraska where she attended St Ludger’s Academy. She graduated in 1946 with a teaching certificate and taught in 3 country schools, where she taught multiple grade levels. Theresa met the love of her life, Joe Zila, on a wolf hunt in Nebraska. She was very taken with the idea that Joe “seemed interested” in her that day. Joe had just returned from 4 years of service in the U.S. Navy. They were married on June 1, 1949, at St Ludger’s Catholic Church. Theresa and Joe had a farm in Winnetoon, Nebraska and had two sons, Ronald Joseph (1950) and Ricky Lee (1953). The family moved to Iowa in 1958 and bought a farm near Joice. Ron and Rick attended school in Lake Mills. They were founding and devoted members of St Patrick’s Catholic Church.

Theresa and Joe loved to dance in their early years together and always loved to play cards. Theresa was a talented artist and was always interested in painting and crafts of all kinds. She worked in Lake Mills at John’s Photo Studio and later at Universal Circuits until she retired.

She is preceded in death her parents, Joe and Rose Grothe; husband, Joe Zila; sons, Ron and Rick; siblings, Joey Grothe, Jim Grothe, Paul Grothe, Frieda Olson, Jenny Brower, Dick Grothe and Don Grothe.

Theresa is survived by three grandchildren, Megan (Skylor) Alexander, Jeffrey Zila and Mallory (Chris) Swatzell; three great-grandchildren, Lyli, Eli, and Brewyr Alexander; daughter in law, Deb (Rick) Zila; sisters in law, Sandy (Dick) Grothe and Carolyn (Paul) Grothe; dearest friend, Sandy (Loren) Skatter and her children Traci, John and Pam who were like family to her; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St Croix Hospice, St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Lake Mills, or St James Catholic Church in Forest City.