Van Bakel, Theresa (Kratzwald), 96, of Louisville, died on Friday, April 1, 2016.
Born on February, 26, 1920, to the late Emma (Schels) and Joseph Kratzwald in Moreland, KY, Theresa moved to Louisville in her early 20s to work for the Bell Telephone Company. While working at the telephone company, she met her beloved husband, Adrian J. Van Bakel, who passed away in 2013. Together, they raised six children.
Theresa will be remembered fondly for her wonderful cooking and baking. Always ready to set an extra place at the table, she greeted friends and family members with an open door and a warm welcome. Her family will also remember elaborate holiday dinners where everyone got a chance to pitch in and learn something new from the expert.
For many years she had a spectacular garden that included an extensive raspberry patch. She was also a skilled seamstress. She made her own wedding dress and taught her daughters to sew.
Besides homemaking, she enjoyed her work teaching dyslexic children and she was an active member of the Wives of U.S. Submarine Veterans of WW II.
In addition to her parents and late husband, she was preceded in death by brothers, Rudolph Kratzwald and Carl Schels; and sister-in-law Martha.
Theresa will be missed by her children, Valerie Walker, Diane Van Bakel, Adrian B. Van Bakel (Sharon), Rosemary Eisner (Don), Keith Van Bakel, Kevin Van Bakel; grandchildren, Adam, Brittany, Allison, Sang, and Emma; sisters-in-law, Delores Van Bakel and Lydia Kratzwald; brother-in-law, Joseph Van Bakel (Angie); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Mass will be 10am Tuesday at St. John Paul II Church (St. Barnabas Campus), 3042 Hikes Lane, with burial to follow in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday 4-8pm at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Humane Society or to your favorite charity.

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