•••
Theresa Griep 1929–2021 Theresa Griep, 91, of Leisure
World, passed away on Jan. 6, 2021. Theresa was born to parents Joseph and Mary (Coady) Halligan on April 24, 1929, in Moorland, Iowa. Theresa’s father died when she was 7, leaving her mother to raise seven children alone.
Theresa married Darrel Griep on Sept. 11, 1948. They built their first home in Fort Dodge, Iowa. In 1958, they moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where their family grew to eight children. Leisure World became their home in 2000.
Theresa’s cornerstones in life were her Irish heritage, Catholic faith, dedication to her home and love of family and friends.
A devout Catholic, Theresa served in the Altar Society and was president of St. Joseph Academy Women’s Association in Des Moines.
Theresa was a cosmetologist with her own beauty salon. She worked as a vendor countless years at the Minnesota and other state fairs.
She will be remembered for her entertaining stories, love of cards, holiday baking, humor and laughter.
Theresa and Darrel enjoyed welcoming visitors to wherever they called home. Memorable trips included Rome and Ireland.
Theresa was preceded in death by her husband, Darrel; son John; grandson Adam Vaux; granddaughter Angela (Haggas) Kruszynski; her parents; as well as brothers Paul, John Charles and Raphael Halligan and sister Mary Cecilia Smith.
Theresa is survived by her children Sheila (Paul) Haggas, Sharon (Robert) King, Mary (Steve) Bailey, Patricia Littrell, Thomas (Victoria) Griep, Martha (Doug) Reuter and LeAnne (Michael) Vaux; 26 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and brothers Richard and Coady Halligan.