Obituary of Therese Alice Hammar Wahlstrom

Therese Alice Hammar Wahlstrom died on July 1, 2022, after a short illness involving hospital, rehab, and Mt Evans Hospice care at home. I (her daughter, Carla) was able to be there with her through most of this, and helped her peacefully go to meet my Dad and all who went before her. I believe my father, Dave, who was a huge train buff, came to “get” her via train. She spoke of it a number of times that week.

Therese was born in Chicago in early 1932, the oldest of two daughters. Her grandpa Axel came to live with them from Sweden. She went to college at Augustana in Rock Island IL and wanted to graduate and meet and marry a tall man. She did! My Dad was 6’4'' and a “preacher’s kid” whose theologian father taught at Augustana. My mom was always in awe that she would be welcomed into the intelligent and very loving Wahlstrom family in 1955. They moved to Iowa City, Iowa for my dad’s further schooling to become an engineer. And surprise, I was born in 1956! They then moved this small young family to Muncie IN and my brother Eric was born there. All was hunky dory until we took a vacation to Colorado in 1968–much to my dismay we moved there in 1970! My parents built their first of two homes in Evergreen Colorado in the early 70’s and that is where they stayed and made a very meaningful life in this mountain town. My father preceded Mom in death, suddenly in 2001.

Therese was very involved in the community, working as a volunteer receptionist at the very newly opened Mt Evans Hospice organization. Helping with fundraisers and Camp Comfort were two of her very favorites. She also worked part time at Evergreen Lutheran Church in the office and participated in the Grove sale as well as the choir. Earlier she worked at the Yankee Doodler, a famous bookstore in Evergreen, for those of you old enough to remember it.

Her children Eric and I, grew up, graduated from EHS and went on to college, and now live independent and happy lives. Eric is in Parker CO with his wife Diane, her daughter Darci and their two boys, David and Axel. They all cherished their grandmother known as “The G”. Carla moved to North Carolina 40+ years ago and is happily married to her husband Dick Handshaw.

Therese will be honored in a memorial service at Evergreen Lutheran Church, 5980 County Highway 73, Evergreen, on September 15 at 2 PM. All who knew her are welcome, and refreshments will be served after the service. Therese will then be inurned later that day in the columbarium at the church in a private ceremony for the family.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Therese's honor to one of the following organizations that Mom so dearly loved.

Mt Evans Home Health and Hospice (in memory of Therese Wahlstrom)

3081 Bergen Peak Drive Evergreen CO 80439-2200

Or

Augustana College Eric H and Ruth V Wahlstrom Memorial Scholarship (please note on memo line of your check) 639 38th Street Rock Island, IL 612201