Obituary

Theresa Marie Ondrejka, age 94, a former longtime resident of both Highland, IN, and Rockford, IL, passed away on Friday, March 11th, in Bellingham, WA. She was born on December 27, 1927, in East Chicago, IN, the second daughter of the late Walter and Helen Lesniak.

Early in her adult life Theresa “Terri” enjoyed a career working as an administrative assistant for Standard Oil and for several politicians in Chicago. She married the love of her life, the late Joseph Edward Ondrejka, in 1946, and they enjoyed 68 wonderful years of marriage.

When she wasn’t cooking wonderful meals for the family or adding to her impressive Christmas decoration collection, you could find her rooting for Notre Dame football or listening to polka. Her avid storytelling was often complemented by her wonderful laugh, both of which will live on in the memories of those fortunate enough to hear them.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Edward Ondrejka, her daughter, Paulette Mary Ondrejka and her sister Cecelia Irene Kristoff. She is survived by her daughter Denise Bruce (Steve), granddaughter Vanessa Waldrep (Lee), and great-grandsons Hardy and Hayes Waldrep, all of Bellingham, WA.