Thea Mae (Peterson) Stecker

Thea Mae (Peterson) Stecker died peacefully at MacKenzie Place, her home of fifteen years in Colorado Springs, on February 27, 2023, at the age of 91 years. She was born in Blanchardville, WI to Alvin S. and Dorothy C. (Bendixon) Peterson (both deceased).

Thea graduated from Wautoma High School and studied home economics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, excelling in tailoring, cooking, baking, and nutrition. She fell deeply in love with Raymond H. Stecker while participating together in campus Lutheran Student House activities and singing in choir. They married on August 24, 1952, in Wautoma, WI.

Thea worked briefly to support Ray during his studies to become a medical doctor and an ear, nose, and throat specialist, and then chose to be a stay-at-home mom and homemaker. She and Ray loved and raised Carl, Kari (Dahlin), Katherine, and Kristina (Reinmuth). During Ray’s 22 years of military service, they lived in Germany (twice), Minnesota, Wisconsin, California, and Colorado, finally settling in Colorado Springs. She never dreamed of living outside of Wisconsin, let alone visiting 6 of 7 continents!

Thea had a deep and abiding faith in God. She was baptized and grew up in the Lutheran Church, and was actively involved in women’s groups, Bible studies and other church activities. She and Ray sang in the adult choir everywhere they lived throughout their 57 years of marriage, often playing piano and organ for Sunday School and church. She was an outstanding seamstress and knitter, making many beautiful dresses, coats, sweaters and mittens for her kids and grandkids. As her younger children reached their teen years, she also went back to school at the University of Colorado–Colorado Springs, completing two years in music composition and performance.

Thea was preceded in death by three of her beloved older siblings, Rev. Allen T. Peterson, Charles L. Peterson, Ruth M. (Peterson) Bakke, and her beloved husband Ray (d. 2009) and granddaughter Alyssa. She is survived by her sister Ingrid I. (Peterson) Strimbu; her children Carl Stecker (Paula), Kari Dahlin, Katherine Stecker, and Kristina Reinmuth (Rob); her grandchildren Chantal (Stecker) Carpenter, Seth Dahlin, Mikelle (Dahlin) Mosier, Valerie (Stecker) Grove, Tyler Shonts, Haylee (Shonts) Larson, Scott Reinmuth, and Jana Reinmuth; and great-grandchildren Reese Mosier, Judah Mosier, Hunter Mosier, and Micah Larson.

Thea touched so many lives with her infectious smile, sweet demeanor, gracious hospitality, and caring actions. She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed. May she rest in eternal peace and joy, reunited with all her loved ones and her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

A celebration of life will be held July 25, 2023, 10am at Grace Lutheran Church, 1128 E Boulder St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Memorials can be designated for microloan for women, girl’s school fees and uniforms, and scholarship for International Women Leaders through ELCA World Hunger of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

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