Therese Roberts

Therese J. Duprey Roberts - Age 96, passed away on May 14, 2025, at St. Paul Villa in Kaukauna. Tess was born Aug. 14, 1928, in Kaukauna, daughter of the late George J. and Martha (Seiberlich) Duprey. She married Patrick G. Flanagan on Jan. 23, 1952, and they lived in San Diego and Oceanside, Calif., Menasha, Kimberly and Chilton during their 27 years of marriage before his death on Sept. 23, 1979. Tess then moved back to Kaukauna when she married Thomas A. Roberts on Oct. 18, 1980. Tom passed on Dec. 28, 2016. She is survived by four Flanagan daughters, husbands and families: Mary Katherine (Tom) Bednarowski, River Falls; Maureen (Dr. Richard), Appleton; Margaret, Vancouver, Wash.; Eileen (Jonathan) Doughty, Vienna, Va.; plus nine grandchildren: Mollie, Erin, Jasmine, Julia, Ross, Harrison, Grant, Eleanor, Theo, and six great-granchildren. Also surviving are six children of Tom Roberts and their families: Ann (Steve) McDaniel, Kaukauna; Robin (Steve) Schmidt, Kaukauna; Patricia (Kevin) Dianmond, Chicago; William (Brenda) Roberts, Kaukauna; Thomas John (Tammy), Kaukauna; Kevin (Catrina), Shawano; 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sister: Marian Casper, Waupun; brother: Ralph Duprey, Kaukauna, and sister-in-law: Betty Flanagan, Little Chute. You know this is going to be long, because Tess lived an interesting life. Tess’s story was how she shared her love and talents with her hands. She took piano lessons from a very young age and used this talent for many years playing piano during her years at Kaukauna High School and transferring it over to the church organ where she played and directed the choir. She took typing in high school, where she excelled. Eventually she became a secretary at Thilmany Paper Mill, George Banta Publishing, Westside School in Kimberly and the Calumet County Veterans Administration. She learned to sew and knit and she met wonderful women who would become great friends. They were there when her wonderful 100-year-old-plus home burned down and took her quilt fabric to their homes to wash. She made countless quilts and clothing articles for family and friends and also donated many. Her girls had matching outfits, homemade nightgowns and Barbie doll clothing still used today by her great-grandchildren. She even took a tailoring class and made Pat a wonderful sports coat. She also had a great love of reading, devouring many books every week. She served on the Kaukauna Library Board for many years. She served on the parish council at some of the churches she attended. She was also a wonderful and adventurous cook serving up flaming desserts, fancy meats on skewers all the while looking great in her lovely period hostess skirt. Her husband, Pat, worked long hours but she made sure the girls had fun, taking them on trips, riding around town and going places in their red convertible Corvair. At Pat’s funeral, Tom Roberts brought news of the press box he and others worked on which honored Kaukauna athletes. Pat Flanagan was one of them. Tom said he would take her to see it. A love grew between them. Within a year they were married. Tom and Tess lived for many years at his childhood home on Wisconsin Avenue and built a new home there when the beautiful old Queen Anne style home burned down from an electrical fire. Tom and Tess had many years of travel and then settled back to entertaining on their front porch where it was said “What happens on the porch stays on the porch.” Tess’s last years were spent at the St. Paul Villa where she received wonderful care. She enjoyed sitting out on the porch and working on jigsaw puzzles. Her family wishes to thank the wonderful caretakers at St. Paul Villa, dear friends Keith and Linda Petersen, nurse Tracy and others from Compassus Hospice Service, Dr. Jennifer Schoening of the Kaukauna Clinic, Brian Roebke from the Times-Villager, Jan Stanelle of the Bank of Kaukauna, Sister Delores, Amanda Hipp from Wichmann Funeral Home and all those who shared laughter and libation on the porch. According to Tess’s wishes there will not be a funeral service. She will be buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Kaukauna.

FARGO FUNERAL HOME, 400 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Kaukauna, 920-766-6200, online condolences www.wichmannfargo.com