Theresa Ruth Rettele, 74, of Baileyville, KS, died Sunday morning, February 6, 2011, at Life Care Center in Seneca due to complications from cancer.

She was born June 19, 1936 in Columbia, MO, the daughter of Alexander Robert (A.R.) and Florence Brengarth McLachlan. She finished the first six grades of her schooling in Columbia, after which her parents moved to Salisbury, MO, so she could attend a Catholic school. She graduated from St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in Salisbury, then attended college at Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, KS. During college she took off every other year to work as a teacher in various locations, including St. Joseph’s Grade School in Salisbury, Baileyville Grade School in Baileyville, KS and Sts. Peter & Paul Grade School in Seneca, KS. She graduated from college in 1960 with a major in history and math, and minors in physical education and education.

After graduation, she returned to Seneca and taught for Nemaha Valley Junior High in Seneca, then for St. Bede’s Grade School in Kelly, KS for three years. For the remaining 15 years of her teaching career she taught at Baileyville and St. Benedict schools.

On June 8, 1963, she married William R. Rettele at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Salisbury, MO. Her husband William survives of the home in Baileyville.

Theresa was well known throughout the area as a school teacher and also as a dance studio operator and dance teacher. She opened the original Theresa’s School of Dance in Seneca in 1963, and later opened branches in Centralia, Wetmore, Holton, Sabetha, Humbolt and Pawnee. She taught countless children how to dance and to play the guitar. She loved sharing and passing along her passion for dance, and even until the present time was still actively teaching dance. She also choreographed the musicals at the Wetmore school for 31 years.

She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and St. Ann’s Altar Society at the church in Baileyville. She taught religion and confirmation classes over the years. She was extremely fond of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict and gave numerous tours, which included historical and religious background of the church. She loved to travel, play cards and to be outdoors with her flowers, dogs and horse.

Survivors besides her husband William are two brothers, David McLachlan of Lenexa, KS and Ron McLachlan of Macon, GA; and two sisters, Roberta (Bobby) Dalinghaus of Seneca and Betty Milas of Kirksville, MO.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Thursday, February 10, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 11 AM Friday, February 11, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be given in Theresa’s memory for Mount St. Scholastica, and sent in care of the family.