Theresa A. Stalzer

ELKHORN—It was no coincidence that she was sometimes called “the other” Mother Theresa. With over 50 years in the business of helping others, Theresa (Voelkel)(Hanson) Stalzer still loved being in the trenches. The longtime advocate for abused children and adults died unexpectedly at home Friday, Oct. 15, at age 75.

​She was proud of being raised in Elkhorn, where her parents operated Al and Bud’s Market, a downtown grocery store. She graduated from Elkhorn High School in 1964. In recent years she still got together nearly every month for dinner with classmates. She never left the city she loved, except for the years she studied at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

​She interned as a social worker at Walworth County’s Department of Social Services and was hired full-time shortly after graduation. She was a child protective services (CPS) worker with the Department of Health and Human Services for about 40 years.

​“Theresa was an expert in the court system in educating jury pools on sexual abuse,” said Paula Hocking, who worked alongside Theresa at CPS for more than 20 years and is now with Children’s Wisconsin. “Her heart and soul were always to make lives better for the children of Walworth County, and she did do that. She believed everybody could have a good life. It was her mission to make Walworth County a better place.”

John Bigler, former assistant director of the Dept. of Health & Human Services and a high school classmate, admired Theresa. “She was just somebody whose dedication and identity were wrapped up in what she did as a professional—helping people,” he said.

Theresa was coaxed out of retirement in 2013 as a volunteer for New Beginnings APFV, an organization that helps victims of domestic and sexual violence countywide. She soon joined the staff and resurrected a program to provide specially trained 24-hour volunteer advocates at the hospital for victims of rape and other sexual crimes. She worked her last shift the day before she died.

​“She was my go-to, especially with the bad of the bad cases,” said Cathy Duchow-Cross, coordinator of the sexual assault nurse examiner and forensic programs at Aurora Health Care’s hospitals in Elkhorn and Burlington. “I’d say, ‘Hey Little Buddy, I need your help with this one.’ I knew with her, the victim would be well taken care of. No matter what time of the night, if I asked if she was sleeping, she would always say no.”

​Clients gravitated toward Theresa and her supportive, comforting words. Her role as a fill-in mom or grandma during times of crisis earned her the nicknames of “St. Theresa” and “Mother Theresa” from some clients.

​At work, Theresa was “an institution,” said Carmen Garces, a counselor at New Beginnings APFV. “She was part of so many wonderful things in Elkhorn. She took brilliant photos with her phone. She was fun. She volunteered, she traveled with friends.She had a remarkable memory. She was not going to go home and be a crinkly old lady with nothing to do.”

​Theresa was known for her perfect manicures and having every hair in place. She frequently dressed and accessorized in shades of purple for domestic violence awareness or teal for sexual assault awareness. She created her own jewelry and greeting cards, sharing her elaborate, homemade treasures with family and friends.

​She was a founding member of the Walworth County Alliance for Children, which started in 1989 as a Children’s Court Advisory Board to provide community education and awareness on child maltreatment and to advocate for just punishments for perpetrators. The group evolved into the Tree House Child and Family Center in Elkhorn, including the building that houses the Walworth County Child Advocacy Center for Children’s Wisconsin. Theresa still served on the Tree House general board of directors, one of only a couple original members with continuous service.

​For New Beginnings APFV, Theresa was active in the public effort to rally support to build a domestic violence shelter for Walworth County survivors. As she advanced in age, her work life turned more toward elder victims. She frequently spoke to groups about how to stay safe from predators, both physical and financial. She was a former board member of Walworth County Crime Stoppers, the Walworth County Housing Authority, and neighborhood watch groups. She co-led with Advocate Araceli Wence a support group for Hispanic teens at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Elkhorn.

​“Honestly, what didn’t she do? What committee was she not part of?” said Garces, adding that a co-worker had gotten Theresa to hit the dance floor on Oct. 2 at the agency’s barn dance fundraiser. Theresa had put in extra hours to help coordinate and staff the silent auction. 

​“He (Advocate Will Helling) pulled her out on the dance floor and she boogied, “said Garces. “That’s the Theresa we all want to remember.”

​Theresa was born June 13, 1946 in Madison Wisconsin, toAlbert and Marjorie Voelkel. Theresa was united in marriage to Jerry A. Stalzer on October 6, 2007 in Burlington, WI.  In addition to card making, she had many hobbies including, travel, photography and rock collecting. Theresa loved to travel and especially enjoyed trips to the cabin, Mississippi, Maine and out West. She also enjoyed gambling and playing slot machines. Theresa was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. 

Theresa is survived by her husband, Jerry, two children; Tiffany (Peter) Jaske of Muskego, WI and Todd (Cynthia) Hanson of Elkhorn, WI, four grandchildren; Zachary Jaske (Danielle), Logan Jaske (Alysha), Carlie Hanson and Gwen Hanson, her dear friend Sue Zimmerman, and she is further survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorial Service will be 4:00PM on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Homes and Crematory, 730 N. Wisconsin St. Elkhorn, WI, Pastor Cathy Manthei officiating.  Visitation will be 2:00PM until service time Tuesday at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial in Theresa’s name may be directed to New Beginnings, 20 N. Church St. Elkhorn, WI.  Online guest book available at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com.