Theresa Frances Graff (Schallenkamp), age 61, of Alexandria, Minn., formerly of Luverne, Minnesota, went into the arms of Jesus on November 9, 2024, due to the final stages of heart failure. A memorial service to celebrate her life took place Saturday, November 16, at 11 a.m. at Living Rock Church in Luverne.

Theresa was born on July 6, 1963, to Lloyd and Mary Schallenkamp of Bridgewater, S.D. After high school, she attended Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota, for speech therapy and elementary education. She then began her 31 year career at Luverne Public Schools, the same placeshe met the love of her life, Roger.

The two married in 1987 and had three children, Megan, Michael and Thomas. They spent much of their lives together growing deep roots in the same community where they met. In 1994, two weeks after the birth of her last child Thomas, Theresa was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. With treatment and much prayer, she was miraculously declared cancer-free just one year later. She lived the rest of her life cancer-free.

Theresa was known for her deep unwavering faith in Christ, for her servant-heart, always helping family, friends, church and community, and for her deep commitment to helping children in speech therapy. She was the person that could make anyone feel heard and loved; she was wildly forgiving, hospitable and silly. Many lovingly called her Mother Theresa or Mama T. In her short retirement, she enjoyed her lake home in Alexandria, at the pickleball courts with Roger and friends, visiting (and helping) her children and grandchildren, fishing and enjoying Lake Louise, and traveling to sunny places in the winter. She had a vivaciousness for life and a trust that her life is in God’s hands. She was a treasure and will be missed by all who knew her.

Theresa is survived by parents, Lloyd and Mary Schallenkamp, Bridgewater, S.D.; spouse, Roger Graff, Alexandria; three children, Megan and Ethan Ruesink, Prior Lake; Michael and Erin Graff, Sparta, Wisc.; and Thomas and special friend Corntney Alvarez and her daughter, Miah, Luverne; 4 grandchildren; three sisters, Viki (Dan) Buum, Chester, S.D.; Katie (Lee) Mentele, Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Mary (Keith) Folske, San Diago, Calif; two brothers, Gary (Karen) Schallenkamp, Bridgewater; and John (Bernice) Schallenkamp, Bridgewater; two brothers-in-law and their spouses; four sisters-in-law and their spouses; and a host of nieces and nephews from both sides of the family and many other beloved family and friends.

She was preceded in death by granddaughter Eloise Ruesink.