Therese Elaine Lootens

Obituary

Therese Elaine Lootens, 63, of Rock Island passed away Sunday, February 14th, 2021, at her home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 19th, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Rock Island, with a rosary recited at 10:10 a.m. The livestream service can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/513586340.  Visitation will be at the Church at 9:00 a.m. prior to the service. Entombment will be at Calvary Mausoleum after the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Church, Alleman High School, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Therese was born in Rock Island on April 15, 1957, the daughter of Fred and Mary Catherine (Redecker) Orth. She graduated from Alleman High School and Western Illinois University, where she earned her education degree and was affiliated with Sigma Kappa sorority. She married Patrick Lootens on July 18, 1980, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Rock Island.

Therese worked in education for over 30 years, teaching at Bradley Central, All Saints (Cedar Rapids), Jordan Catholic, Eagle Ridge, and Sherrard Elementary. After retiring, she enjoyed working as a hostess at Miss Mamie’s.  Therese cherished caring for her family, especially her parents and grandsons, whom she loved immensely. She loved decorating her home for holidays, her favorite being Halloween. She also enjoyed traveling, especially to the beach, and to visit family.

Therese will be forever remembered and missed by her husband Patrick; children, Dr. Christopher Lootens, New Orleans, LA, Elizabeth (Ty) Verschorre, Rock Island, Ryan (Maggie) Lootens, Moline, and LTJG Samuel (Lindsey) Lootens, Memphis, TN; mother, Mary Catherine; sister, Eileen Copen; brothers, Mike (Sue) Orth and Larry (Gay) Orth; grandsons, Michael Verschorre and Jackson Lootens; numerous in-laws, aunts, uncle, nieces, nephews and cousins; and her best friend, Rhonda Lang.

Therese was preceded in death by her father, Fred, in January.