Therese's Obituary
Therese (Toeckes) Van Auken, 95, passed away at the Benefis Teton Medical Center in Choteau, Montana on February 16, 2023.
Born on June 21, 1927, Therese was the first child to Math and Edith (Tempel) Toeckes of Power, Montana. She and her five brothers and four sisters grew up on the homesteaded farm North of Power raising grains and animals. Therese attended the Plainview Grade School one mile from the farm and graduated from Power High School in 1945. After graduation, she moved to Great Falls and worked as a cashier at the Montana Bank. While attending a basketball game in Choteau, she met Milton “Soup” Van Auken. They were married October 4, 1948, at the Guardian AngelCatholic Church in Power.
Therese and Milton remained in Choteau, Montana where they raised their two sons, Dennis and Dick. Therese and Milton were together for 71 years until Milton passed away in 2019. She would remind us that they moved ten times in Choteau before building their forever house in 1958. When Dick began Kindergarten, Therese started working as a cashier at the Citizen’s State Bank in Choteau and continued this employment for over 35 years. Not retiring completely, she worked part time at the Citizen’s State Bank and the 1st National Bank in Fairfield for a few more years.
Therese was active in the St. Joseph Catholic Church and its Alter Society and CCW. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post #6. Family and friends will tell you that Therese raised the most beautiful pink and lavender African Violets which she gave to many people who she knew and loved. Outside, she loved her gladiolas and roses. Therese was dedicated to her family. She shared her cooking skills and prepared countless holiday meals for family gatherings especially Thanksgiving.
Many projects occurred at the Power farm and she cared for her mother and bachelor brother until their passing. In 1974, Therese and Soup purchased their Sun River Canyon cabin in Hannon Gulch. The cabin was by far her greatest enjoyment where she spent time with family and friends.
Therese is survived by her sons, Dennis (Susie) of Cedar Rapids, IA and Dick (Dianne) of Fairfield, MT; sisters, Sister Mary Toeckes O.P. and Izzy Femling of Chewelah, WA; brother, Albert (Margaret) Toeckes of Climax, Sask. Canada; sisters-in-law, Karen Toeckes of Dutton, MT, Mary Katherine Toeckes of Great Falls, MT, Jean (Van Auken) DeRusha of Great Falls, and Sheila Toeckes of Shaunavon, Sask. Canada; 5 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-granddaughter; along with numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sister, Dorothy Lucas; and brothers, Charles, Donald, Laurence, Willard, and George.
A funeral service will be on Friday, April 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. and a Rosary/vigil on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Choteau MT. Memorials are suggested to the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (Box 640, Choteau MT 59422) or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
