Sister Teresa Rebholz

One of 10 children, six boys and four girls, Teresa was born on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1931, daughter of William and Susan (Kaiser) Rebholz in Auburndale, Wisconsin, Archdiocese of Milwaukee. She was the fourth child and oldest daughter. Along with her brothers, Teresa attended the Deansville Public School, grades 1-4.

In March 1941, the family moved to a 160-acre farm in the East Bristol area. There, Teresa and her siblings attended St. Joseph Parish School which was staffed by the Sisters of the Divine Savior. Sister Teresa stated, “During these years, I remember my family as loving and caring and my parents as hard working during the Depression.” It was during this time that the family home was destroyed by fire. She and her sisters stayed with the Salvatorian Sisters for one week until the family found a home. She also said, “When I count my blessings, I remember these sisters because they greatly blessed us during those years of childhood.”

After attending two years at Columbus High School she entered the Congregation on September 3, 1947. As a candidate she completed her secondary education at Divine Savior Convent High School. When Teresa entered the novitiate on August 12, 1949, she received the name Sister Jacinta. She pronounced her first vows on August 13, 1950, and final vows on August 13, 1956, in Milwaukee, WI.

Sister Teresa studied at Alverno College in Milwaukee and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. In 1972 she received her Master’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin. Sister Teresa was also a lifelong learner, taking classes to increase her effectiveness as a classroom teacher. In addition, she managed to find time to volunteer with the visually impaired.

Sister Teresa was an educator her entire life.  She taught at Mother of Good Counsel, St. John Nepomuc, St. Casimir, St. Florian, St. Stephen, and St. Mary Schools, all in Milwaukee. She also taught at St. Pius X in Wauwatosa, Holy Ghost in Dickeyville, St. Therese in Schofield, Sacred Heart in Edson, all in Wisconsin, and at St. Mary School in Landover Hills, Maryland.

Following 35 years as a classroom teacher, she became a substitute teacher in the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee completing an additional 10 years. She also taught as a catechist in various parishes. Being the teacher that she was, she continued tutoring children in reading and math far into her retirement years. What did Sister Teresa say about all her years as an educator?  “I loved it, as my childhood dream of being a teacher and a Sister was being fulfilled.” She also said, “Drawing out the talents of so many bright and beautiful children has given me a real sense of accomplishment, not to mention the happiness of helping so many children to a greater knowledge and love of God.”  Also during these years she “accommodated herself to other cultures.”  She taught students from Hungary, Germany, Russia, Greece, and the West Bank.

For many years Sister Teresa lived on the Southside of Milwaukee at Ancilla Domini Convent with many sisters from other religious communities. In 2013, she moved to the Salvatorian Sisters Residence, the assisted living wing of St. Anne’s Salvatorian Campus, and several years later to St. Anne’s Nursing Home when her health required additional medical care. 

She was preceded in death by her parents William and Susan (Kaiser) Rebholz, brothers Norman Rebholz, Arnold (Clarine) Rebholz, and Joseph (Delores) Rebholz, and sister Leona (Jim) Wiesensel. 

She is survived by her brothers, John (Rose) Rebholz, Roger (Ann) Rebholz, William (Diane) Rebholz; her sisters, Ann (Kenneth) Schroeder, and Eva (Donald) Strohmenger; and her sister-in-law Judy (Norman) Rebholz. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and members of the Salvatorian family.