In Memory of Theresa Ella Bresnahan

Theresa Ella Bresnahan, age 96, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on January 20, 2025, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., with visitation held one hour prior from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Father William A. McCarthy will officiate. Inurnment will follow in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa.  

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

On April 2, 1928, in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Tilmon and Armezine (Belliveau) LeBlanc welcomed their 5th child, a daughter, Theresa Ella. During the Great Depression the family relocated to New Brunswick, Canada, where Theresa flourished with her family and was a true French Canadian speaking fluent French and very little English.

At the tender age of 16, Theresa embarked on an adventure relocating to Boston, Massachusetts, to live with her older sister Florence and care for her cousin Catherine’s two sons. As time went on Theresa took a job offer for a live-in nanny with a doctor and his family. The family lived in a home that was also connected to the doctor’s medical practice. An outbreak of tuberculosis went throughout the community and unfortunately Theresa fell ill. She spent 14 months isolated from the outside world before being discharged and returning to Canada to fully recover.

Theresa enjoyed having fun. Her best friend at the time set them up to go on a double-blind date. Little did Theresa know that she would fall in love with the strong, handsome sailor from Iowa, Leonard Raymond Bresnahan, who was stationed at a nearby navel port. On November 6, 1954, the couple were united in marriage at the Saint Jean-Baptiste Church in Lynn, Massachusetts. Shortly after, Leonard brought Theresa back to his hometown in Ida Grove, Iowa, where they remained until purchasing the family farm in Battle Creek in 1963. During this time the couple welcomed five children: Sharon, Sheila, Donna, Ron, and Gail.    

In the 1970’s the couple purchased a well drilling business which they named Bresnahan Well Drilling. Theresa’s organization, attention to detail, and work ethic helped her keep meticulous books all while maintaining the family home and raising her children.

It is said that extraordinary things come in small packages. If you ever had the pleasure of meeting Theresa, you would know that she was a family first lady with a little bit of spunk, fun loving attitude, animal lover with an adventurous side, who treasured every moment spent with her family. She was always up for an adventure and delighted in trips back to the east coast and Canada to visit family. She loved babysitting her grandchildren, including at times her great grandchildren, along with journaling about her adventures and daily life.

Theresa was an active and devoted member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove. She enjoyed attending Bible study, gardening, baking and cooking, playing cards, dancing, crocheting and knitting wash cloths, scrapbooking, and journaling.  Theresa was proud of her French heritage which was displayed on her custom “Frnchy” license plate. She loved socializing, lending a helping hand, and never knew a stranger.

Left behind to carry on her legacy are her children, Sharon (Dennis Smith) Krambeck of Ida Grove, IA, Sheila (Kim) Zobel of Ida Grove, IA, Donna Lawton of Omaha, NE, Ron (Carol) Bresnahan of Ida Grove, IA, and Gail Scott of West Des Moines, IA; grandchildren: Cheryl (Wes) Hall, Renee (Tony) Mason, Ryan Martin, Shannon (Anne) Zobel, Tonya (Justin) Eggspuehler, Kayla (Kasey Culmback) Zobel, Eric Lawton, Brett (Audra) Lawton, Chad (Erin Ray) Lawton, Devin Bresnahan, and Drew (Katie) Bresnahan; great grandchildren: Ayden Hall, Ava Hall, Alyssa Mason, Cade Mason, Mia Mason, Caleb Martin, Nya Martin, Damareon Martin, Merrick Martin, Mina Martin, Ethan (Katlyn) Zobel, Elizabeth (Willy) Pinnow, Cyler Eggspuehler, Cole Eggspuehler, Zoey Lawton, Avery Bresnahan, Nora Bresnahan, and Liam Bresnahan.; siblings: Florence Bennett, Lucille Vautour, Berthe Gallant, Paul LeBlanc, and Romeo LeBlanc; extended family and dear friends.

Theresa was preceded in death by her parents Tilmon and Armezine LeBlanc; husband Leonard Bresnahan; grandson Justin Bresnahan; son-in-laws Ralph Martin and Elden Krambeck; siblings: Alonzo LeBlanc, Ferdinand LeBlanc, Emery LeBlanc, Edward LeBlanc and Louis LeBlanc; and sister Rose Marie Deschambault.