Teresa Gillitzer, 50

It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of Teresa Gillitzer, age 50. Teresa passed away peacefully on Monday, October 31, 2022, surrounded by her loved ones.

Teresa was born on December 23, 1971, to her loving parents, Janet Atkinson and Michael Atkinson, in Hampton, Iowa. She was a graduate of Hampton High School Class of 1990 and attended North Iowa Area Community College. Through her life she formed many lasting friendships that she carried with her into Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. It was at a very young age that she developed a fun-loving and carefree attitude towards life, something that she carried with her through the end.

To Teresa, her family was her world and they meant everything to her. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Joe; parents, Janet (Ken Brakke) Atkinson and Michael (Kathy) Atkinson; sister, Toni Atkinson; children, Vanessa (James Becwar) Wright, Dominic Wright, Lindsay (Tyler) Wilkinson, TJ (Sarah) Gillitzer and Ashley (Sean) Schaefer; grandsons, Gavin Gillitzer, Mason Schaefer, Mack Schaefer and Cannon Gillitzer.

Teresa was a selfless mother to her children and wonderful wife to her husband. She had a knack for making everyone feel like family. She enjoyed doing just about anything with her family, catching up with friends, and shopping. The traits that drew people to Teresa might have been her empathy, or perhaps her positivity, or openness, or ability to listen, or acceptance of others. She was a loving, kind person with a flair for fashion. Teresa will be remembered for her larger-than-life personality. We are forever grateful to have been blessed by her presence.

Throughout her years battling diabetes, Teresa never lost that carefree attitude she always had. She had a beautiful positive tendency to always look on the bright side, no matter how hard her current situation may be. She was always so full of life, love, happiness, laughter, and a little spice of sarcasm. She strived to have as much fun and joy in any and every situation as possible, and always found a way to transfer that positive energy onto everyone around her. Her last few weeks were spent at home creating some of the best memories that her family and friends will continue to hold very dear to their hearts.

Funeral Services will be Saturday, November 5, 2022, at 11:00 AM at the Garrity Funeral Home Chapel in Prairie du Chien. Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 9:00 AM until the time of service. Inurnment will be held privately at a late date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Crossing Rivers Hospice in Prairie du Chien. www.garrityfuneralhome.com