Teresa Marie Maxey

Teresa Marie Karpuk Maxey, 60, of Sioux City, died Tuesday, June 11, 2013, at a Sioux City hospice after a long battle with cancer. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Nativity Catholic Church, with the Rev. Steven J. McLoud and Teresa's brother, Deacon Fred Karpuk, officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetary. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Visitation will be 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the Meyer Brothers Northside Chapel, with the family present 5 to 8 p.m. The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be sung at 4 p.m., to be followed shortly thereafter by the Rosary. A vigil service will begin at 7 p.m. Condolences may be sent online at www.meyerbroschapels.com. Teresa (Tre) was born on September 25, 1952 in Sioux City, the daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann (Rashimas) Karpuk. She grew up in Sioux City where she attended Blessed Sacrament and graduated from Heelan High School in 1970. Teresa married on August 19, 1972 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Sioux City and was a devoted wife and mother to her seven children. For many years, Teresa was the co-owner and operator of Maximum Welding in Sioux City, where she became an artistic welder. In 2006, at the age of 53, Teresa received her teaching degree in elementary education from Briar Cliff University in 2006. She taught primarily with the South Sioux City Community School District. Teresa loved supporting her children and grandchildren in their school, athletics, and music, and spending time with them on camping trips and vacations. She was a true "soccer mom", focusing on building up "Team Maxey" by her constant cheerleading, singing positive pump-up songs, fashioning special team t-shirts, and welcoming new additions to the family. Teresa loved music, including playing the keyboard and singing for various bands, including Rattlebone. Her best gig was Trestock, a homespun music festival held over the course of several summers at the family homestead at 1804 Glen Ellen, where she would often duet with her father. As a welder, Teresa made many quality useful pieces for the home and office, including picture easels, shelving, mirrors, decorative pieces, etc. Her creativity evolved into welding art and she crafted several modern art pieces, including "N'Ice Life", a winning sculpture in the Sioux City GO competition. One of Teresa's many creations, called "Risen", an artful representation of the Christian cross, took on an added significance for her after she was diagnosed with cancer in December of 2009. In fighting her cancer with a positive, spiritual, and thankful attitude, Teresa made more than a couple thousand of these crosses for others as an inspiration for their struggles. Emblematic of her attitude was the motto at the end of the St. Therese prayer that she adopted during her fight: Sing, Dance, Praise, and Love. Teresa heard from many families who were encouraged and strengthened by Risen. Their stories inspired Teresa to author a book describing her journey in battling cancer: Peace Within. A woman of mission, Teresa was gladdened in her last days to have received the gift of the birth of her 11th grandchild, as well as the completed printing of her book. Survivors include her seven children and spouses, Noel (Lindsey) Maxey of Edmonds, Wash., Steve (Kelly) Maxey of Temecula, Cal., Christa Maxey of Sioux City, Mike (Holly) Maxey of Omaha, Neb., Lisa (Justin) Froehlich of Sioux City, Tony Maxey of Sioux City, and Zach Maxey of Seattle, Wash.; and 12 grandchildren, Natalie and Brooklyn Maxey; Jack, Claire, and Pete Maxey; Seth, Jonah, and Jacob Maxey; Rydin, Henley, and Witten Froehlich; and Baby Maxey (expecting). Survivors also include Teresa's father and her five siblings and spouses, Phil (Lorall) Karpuk of Sioux City, Fred (Beth) Karpuk of Sioux City, Lori (Doug) Moody of Omaha, Neb., Theodore Karpuk of Dakota Dunes, and Joanne (Tom) Friedman of Ankeny, Iowa; and 20 nephews and nieces. Teresa also leaves behind her extended family and friends, including Kenney and Mary Kay Miller, who, in Teresa's last months, heroically provided Teresa with loving care in the tranquility of their home. Teresa was preceded in death by her mother, her grandparents, her aunts and uncles, and a nephew. In keeping with Teresa's generous spirit, her family requests that memorials be directed to the benefit of the Pat Conway family.