Teresa Louise Jorgensen was born on November 22, 1960, in Mitchell, South Dakota, to Garret Frank “Gary” Jorgensen and Betty Louise (Parker) Jorgensen. She joined her siblings Margaret, Lorna, David, and Donna. She grew up in Murdo, South Dakota, where she attended school and graduated from Jones County High School in 1979.

On November 22,1977 Teresa married the love of her life Clarence “Jerry” Hatheway at Lutheran Memorial Church in Pierre. They were blessed with three boys Cody Allen, Christopher Garrett, and Andrew Jeremy.

Teresa loved her community and spent her life working and serving there. She held many jobs over the years in Murdo, often two or three at a time. For the past 27 years she has served as the Jones County School Head Custodian and worked at the LandMARK Country Inn for longtime friends Mark and Dave. Teresa was fierce, hardworking, dependable, and often did the work of several people. If something needed to be done, she was already doing it. If someone needed help, she was usually already there. Her home was a place where everyone was welcomed, even strangers who were stranded when the interstate was closed due to weather. She always had a room ready.

Teresa was committed to serving her community. She was a lifelong member and served at Messiah Luthern Church where she was baptized and confirmed. She was a member of the Luthern Women’s Missionary League (LWML), the Altar Guild, and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. For 25 years Teresa was a volunteer EMT on the Jones County Ambulance Service where she impacted many lives in the community and beyond.

Teresa’s greatest passion was family, and her grandchildren were the light of her life. She loved her family unconditionally. She cherished time with loved ones and camping, where she occasionally used the very words that she scolded others for saying. She especially loved fall, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Fall meant camping trips and preparing for treasured family holiday gatherings. Holidays at Grandma’s house created lasting memories for the entire family. Teresa considered her friend’s family, and she was blessed with many. In recent years, her morning chat group “Friends for Life” (Teresa, Pam, Connie, Dort, Jill, Brenda, and sister Lorna) became like sisters, sharing life’s joys and offering one another strength, laughter, and comfort through difficult times.

Teresa is survived by her loving and devoted husband of nearly 50 years Jerry Hatheway of Murdo. Her sons Cody and wife Briget of Draper, Christopher and wife Amy of Fort Pierre, and Andrew of Murdo. Ten Grandchildren: Brandon, Garret, Charly, Oscar, Toby, Tyra, Kolten, Kash, Quincey, and Luke. Great Grandchildren: Matias and Azrael. Sister Lorna (Steve) Kittleson of Brooklyn Park, MN. Brother David (Kathy) Jorgensen of Spearfish. Brother-in-law Bill Eckert of Okaton, Sister-in-law Janyce (Terry) Hockenbary of Rapid City, Brother-in-law Joe (Marsha) Hatheway of Black Hawk, Sisters-in-law Linda (Alen) Styger of Hot Springs and Lisa Randall of Rapid City. Special nieces Carissa (Frank) Alloway of Rapid City and Caitlin (Grady) Brodrecht of Presho.

Teresa was preceded in death by her parents Gary and Betty Jorgensen, sisters Margaret Jorgensen, Donna Jorgensen Eckert, Donna Jean Jorgensen in infancy, her father-in-law and mother-in-law Harlen “Ned” and Darlene Hatheway, and niece Kayla Jorgensen.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. (CDT) on Sunday, June 7, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Murdo, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. (CDT) on Monday, June 8, at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Murdo, with Pastor Ray Greenseth officiating.

Interment will follow at the Murdo Cemetery.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 25 Murdo, SD 57559.