Theresa A. (Novak) Nestad

Theresa A. Nestad (nee Novak) 74, late of Chicago Ridge, passed peacefully after a lengthy illness. She was blessed with 5 children:  Gerald (Tina), David (Annette), Michael ( Diana), Paula ( Diane) & Petrine ( Brian).  She cherished and adored her 11 grandchildren Gerald Jr,(Anna) Jonathan, Jenna (Jairen), Brian Jr, Jasmine, Amanda, Robert, Matthew, Elizabeth, Danny & Ethan and 7 great grandchildren Blake, Timothy, Noelle, Lincoln, Remmington, Emmalyn and Corrinne along with many nieces and nephews. Beloved daughter of the late Frank & Lorraine Novak, sister of 12 brothers and 3 sisters.

She spent many of her days enjoying the great classic westerns, intrigued by crime investigation shows and she loved solving the puzzles of her favorite games shows.  Mom also loved when we would read and share stories from the bible. She loved holidays and family gatherings especially playing games like Yahtzee, but don’t look away because she would magically score a Yahtzee.

As we say our goodbyes, our hearts are heavy and overwhelmed with sorrow at the loss of our mom, mother in law, grandma, great grandma, friend, sister, daughter, & aunt.  She was the strongest woman we’ve known. She has been a fighter her entire life. She had strength that could only come from the Lord. We thank God for her and for giving her so many years with all of us. She had overcome a kidney transplant 24 years ago (so eternally grateful to Carol, her long life best friend who donated a strong healthy kidney), and she endured over 42 times being hospitalized. Several times over the past few years she clung to life and pulled through to bless us all with more time. And although she had been in so much pain and bed ridden, she was always thinking of her loved ones and made the effort to call and catch up and hear about our day. She loved her family! She was truly one of a kind and was full of witty remarks, had a sense of humor, that you had to know her, to truly appreciate. She always said exactly how she felt and didn’t care who heard it. The grandkids always called her their partner in crime. She was the glue that held us together. We are so grateful knowing her love for the Lord and her decision of making Jesus, Lord of her life in 2016. We will never forget her eagerness and joy to get baptized on that beautiful day. Now, she can finally rest in Him, with peace, a renewed strength and a new, heavenly body. Goodbyes are not forever, goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean we’ll miss you, until we meet again.  She was loved and adored by us all.  Fly high mom and rest in Him until we see you again. You are forever in our hearts. Interment private.

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