Theresa Brunelle

theresa brunelle
On May 11, 2016, Theresa began her journey to heaven to be with Jesus Christ and her family. Theresa was born on September 28, 1919 to Louie and Anna Rheault on the Alphonse Rheault farm being delivered by midwife Mrs. Sauvageau. She is the eldest of 11 children and gresw up on the Alphonse Rheault Farm, known to us as grandpa and grandma Rheault’s farm. Theresa attended St Joseph’s Academy at St Benedict’s for one year, finishing her 8th grade education with the Horace Public Schools. While in school, her best and favorite subject was geography. She left the farm at age 16 to begin her working career at St. John’s Hospital, later moving on to a live-in housekeeper for the rectory of St. Mary’s Cathedral. Later still, she worked as a live-in housekeeper for families living on 8th Street South in Fargo. On February 16, 1942 Theresa married Emilien “Pete” Brunelle at St Joseph’s Church, Moorhead. To this marriage, Pete and Theresa were blessed with two children: David Brunelle and Janet Cox, both of Fargo. Emilien passed away on May 28, 1993. Most of all, Theresa enjoyed being surrounded by her family. She also had a passion for traveling, (East Coast, West Coast, Canada, Mexico and Midwest states) playing bingo, attending concerts and plays, reading, and playing cards. One of her most cherished weekly activities included attending church at Nativity, having a Befriender bring her communion and saying the Rosary with Sister Angelica. She volunteered for many years for the RSVP organization and at the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Thrift Store. Theresa was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, Catholic Daughters, Degree of Honor, Sewing Club and PLS (People Living Single). Theresa was preceded in death by her husband Emilien, parents Louis and Anna Rheault, sisters: Beatrice, Yvonne, Agnes, and brother Adrian. She is survived by her children: David Brunelle and Janet Cox and grandsons: Jason (Sarah), Jon (Dawn), great-grandchildren: Jadyn, Megan and Emily Cox and sisters: Lucielle, Cecilia, Florence, Delores and brothers: Alphonse, Jerome and other relatives. Visitation will be 5-7:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM on Monday, May 16, 2016, at Nativity Catholic Church, Fargo. A Funeral Mass will be Tuesday at 1:30 PM at Nativity with visitation one hour prior to the funeral. Funeral Service will be held at 1:30 PM on Tuesday, May 17 at Nativity Catholic Church in Fargo. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Monday, May 16 with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM at the church.

View current weather.

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. David and Janet,
    Just wanted to let you know, you are in my prayers. Your mother was really a person to admire. And I am sure all the memories you have will be with you forever. I remember her well, when David and I grew up on 2nd ave South, playing in the basement, your mother was always in the kitchen and wearing her apron. Can still picture her today. Wasn’t able to make it to the prayer service, or today to the funeral service, will be thinking of you both, and hope our paths will cross again someday, take care. David, there is a Class Reunion coming up the 25th of June, I plan on going to the social but not all the other activities, hope to see you there, if you need info on it, just email me, rjoybuckman@gmail.com.

    Renee Bernardy Buckman

  2. Dear Janet and David and families,
    I was so sorry to hear of the loss of Theresa. I apologize that I did not hear of your loss until now. I can’t even begin to count how many Saturdays and hours I spend with Theresa playing scrabble. She was a great person with a great big heart. I was blessed to have spent to much time with her during her Dakota Boys Ranch thrift store days. She was so proud of her family. Bless you all and her memory. RIP dear Theresa.


Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle

Accessibility Tools
hide