Theresa Anne Kirn

Age 97 of Wilmington, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening, August 27, 2024 at LaSalle County Nursing Home in Ottawa, Illinois.

Born April 7, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois, Theresa Anne was a daughter of Andrew and Margaret (O'Malley) Cotter. She was raised in Chicago and graduated from Fenger High School in the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago’s far Southside.

Theresa devoted 16 years of her professional life to Coca-Cola in Markham and later embraced the joy of part-time grocery store demonstrations, sharing her warmth and enthusiasm with all. Countless memories were made camping at Lake Arrowhead in Montello, Wisconsin, a tradition spanning over four decades, later extending to several years at Lake Pleasant in Arizona.

A nurturing mother, Theresa was the heart of her family, always providing unwavering support to her children. She possessed a special affinity for animals, particularly dogs, treating them with the same loving care she afforded her own children, and considered them treasured companions.

Theresa was a practicing Catholic and most recently attended her home parish of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Coal City, Illinois.

Survivors include her sons Keith (Janet)  Mahlfeldt of Morris, Illinois and Craig (Cindy) Mahlfeldt of New Lenox, Illinois; daughter, Pam (Bob) Peele of Hubert, North Carolina; daughter-in-law, Sharon Mahlfeldt of Crestwood, Illinois; step-sons: Gary (Ruth) Kirn of Burbank, Illinois and George Kirn, Jr. of Wilmington, Illinois; grandchildren: Wendy (Dan) Roake, Karen (Bill) Gentry, Aaron Mahlfeldt, Maegan (Cory) Fookes, Jessica (Matt) Dymmel, Leah (Marc) Cockerham, Jenni (Allen) Smith, Paul (Alisha) Drew, Julie Mahlfeldt, Catherine (Daniel) Weltmeyer and Jill (Brandon) Denny; (28) great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Theresa was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George Kirn; son, Kurt Mahlfeldt; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bruno and Toni Mahlfeldt; grandson, Nathan Mahlfeldt, and nine siblings, as well as her special aunt, Sadie O’Malley.

The family will receive friends for a visitation at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington on Thursday, September 5, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 a.m. in St. Rose Catholic Church, 604 South Kankakee Street in Wilmington. Rev. Sebastian Gargol will preside.

Cremation rites will then be accorded at the conclusion of the services, and Theresa will be laid to rest with her husband George in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Wilmington. 

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Theresa's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.BaskervilleFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Theresa’s memorial page online through social media.

Funeral and cremation services have been made under the direction and care of Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory in Wilmington. (815-476-2181)