Theresa McDonell

Age 94 of St. Paul, formerly of Duluth, MN and Brown Deer, WI

Theresa passed away peacefully on January 11, 2023. Theresa grew up in Duluth, and graduated from Denfeld High in 1946. She married Donald McDonell on July 11th, 1953. Together they moved to Port Wing, WI and eventually moved to Brown Deer, WI. Theresa returned back to Minnesota in 2001 following the passing of her husband. Theresa held family and faith closest to her heart. Theresa was a superfan for her children and grandchildren, attending countless swim meets, concerts and games. She was a voracious reader, loved bright colors and also enjoyed birds (especially her parakeet Buddy). She worked at the phone company in Duluth and other jobs in retail and banking but her family was always her first priority.

Theresa was preceded in death by her husband, Donald J. McDonell “Mac”; parents, Antonia and Eli Vrdoljak; and her seven siblings, Matt, Angela, Mary, Katie, Joe, Tony and Nick.

She is survived by her children, Cathy (Jim) Gruenwald, Brenda (Karl) Spring, Allan (Sheila), Tim (Cheryl), Donna McDonell (Rodney Gaskey), and Julie (Mike) Gerend; grandchildren, Chris, Josh, Billy, Sarah, Evan, Ashley, April, Marissa, Jacob, Joey and Meghan; great-grandchildren, Liam, Aiden, Evelyn, Kyle, Sophie, Scarlett, Sadie, Emma, Lily; and many other loving family and friends.

The family of Theresa McDonell would like to thank the amazing staff at Carondelet Village who brightened each day for Theresa and provided wonderful tender care.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, January 21st, 2023 with visitation 9:00-10:00 AM before the service, all at Lumen Christi Catholic Church, 2055 Bohland Ave, St Paul, MN.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the STA/VIS Aquatics Center Project at

https://www.cadets.com/giving/pool-revitalization

https://www.visitation.net/support-vis/make-a-gift

or the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet for the benefit of the sisters at

 https://www.csjministriesfoundation.org/donate

or donor’s choice.

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