Terese (“Teri”) May Thielen, age 56, of Buffalo, MN, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 17th, with family and friends by her side, after a six-and-a-half year battle with ovarian cancer.

Teri grew up in Chicago, IL, and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1980. She attended the College of St. Benedict, where she graduated with a degree in Biology in 1984. Starting with her training as a medical technologist through an internship at the then St. Paul-Ramsey Medical Center, she worked for nearly 35 years as a laboratory medical technologist and computer analyst at Regions Hospital and HealthPartners.

Teri adored her husband and two sons. Her deep faith in God was exemplified through her daily acts of kindness, generosity, selflessness, and love for others around her. As she courageously found the strength to fight the “beast,” her faith became stronger and deepened. She will always be admired and be an inspiration to many for these qualities. Teri freely gave her opinion, but bestowed wisdom and insight that provided a unique perspective. She was sentimental and loved volunteering at church, spending time outdoors, reading, and playing cards or board games with those that she loved. She was also a lifelong, diehard fan of the Chicago Bears. Her dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment to her career and co-workers was exceptional. Teri simply loved life and impacted so many lives on so many levels that her legacy will live in the hearts and minds of many for years to come.

Teri is survived by her husband of 23 years, Edward, two sons Jonathan (22) and Joshua (20), parents George and Lorraine Swindells of Pueblo West, CO, brothers Tim and Gary Swindells, sisters Donna Ondriska and Shari Hayes, mother-in-law Betty Thielen, many cousins, nieces, and nephews, and countless friends. She was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Leo Thielen.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, May 24th at 11 am at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo, with burial following at the St. Francis Xavier Cemetery.

A visitation will be held the hour prior to Mass, and the wake will be at St. Francis Xavier the evening prior on Thursday, May 23rd from 4 to 9 pm. The wake will include a prayer service starting at 7 pm with Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet.

In lieu of flowers, Teri asked that donations be made out to Sharing and Caring Hands (https://sharingandcaringhands.org/) or Feed My Starving Children (https://www.fmsc.org/). Arrangements are with the Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.