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Riebe, Tessa
Tessa Riebe, 64, of Bloomington, Ill., died at 8:33 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, at her home. Her funeral will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at St. Patrick Church of Merna, Bloomington, with Monsignor Gerald T. Ward officiating. Private interment will be in East Lawn Memorial Gardens, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, at the church, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Additional visitation will be one-half hour before services Thursday at the church.
She was born Sept. 16, 1948, in Chicago, the daughter of Stanley T. and Rose Marie Gaburiak Zajac. She married Gerald E. “Jerry” Riebe on June 27, 1998, in Hiawatha, Iowa. He survives.
Also surviving are a son, David (Amy) Thursby of Valparaiso, Ind.; a daughter, Laura (Josh) Bradbury of Bloomington; two stepdaughters, Denise (Jim) Cambridge of Cedar Rapids and Jennifer (Rob) Jemison of Ankeny; nine grandchildren, Jack, Tatum and Sam Thursby, Cameron, Madison and Alex Bradbury, Angela Cambridge and Alexis and Jordan Jemison; and one sister, Genevieve (Peter) Rupp of St. John, Ind.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Tessa was a 24-year survivor of cancer and was a strong supporter of the American Cancer Society and its Relay for Life and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. She lived her life in service to others and was especially active at her parish, St. Patrick Church of Merna, Bloomington, where she participated in many parish activities and organizations. She was also a part of the Bloomington-Normal Cursillo.
Tessa enjoyed traveling and cross stitch and was a member of We Count and Piecemakers. The true lights of her life, though, were her grandchildren, who gave her unconditional love and strength.
Tessa's family wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr. John Migas and the staff of the Community Cancer Center for the wonderful care they provided.
Instead of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Patrick Church of Merna, 1001 N. Towanda Barnes Rd., Bloomington, IL 61705 or to Community Cancer Center, 407 E. Vernon Ave., Normal, IL 61761.
Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington, is in charge of arrangements.
Published Nov. 5, 2012 in The Gazette
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