Teresa Catherine (Collins) Sexton

Teresa Catherine Sexton, 95, of Manson, IA passed away on Saturday, July 8, 2023, surrounded by her family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Manson with Father Lynn Bruch officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m. on Saturday prior to the service at the church. Interment will be held at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery in Manson. Arrangements have been entrusted with Larson-Weishaar Funeral Home.   

Teresa was born in Fort Dodge on May 13, 1928, to John and Lucy (Gilligan) Collins. She attended St. Mathews Catholic School in Clare Iowa and graduated in 1945. Teresa married Richard Fitzgerald in 1947.  They welcomed eleven children into the world with love. Many of her stories she told about raising eleven children when life was tough were a true affirmation of her love for her family. Richard passed in 1971.  In 1974, Teresa was united in marriage to Bob Sexton of Rockwell City. They enjoyed traveling south for the winter months.  While traveling, she met many friends along the way and kept those friendships alive.

Her greatest joy was her family. Teresa was the staple in the life of her family. Her words, actions and thoughts encapsulate the beautiful nature of who she was and her love for her family and friends.  She embraced Mother Teresa’s quote, “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Teresa was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, Catholic Daughters, and St. Thomas Catholic Church. If you knew Teresa, you knew she enjoyed celebrating St. Patrick’s Day!  We will miss the twinkle in her eye and smile on her face when she was dressed in the “wearin’ of the green!”

Teresa is survived by her children Mary (Randy) Bennett, Diane Fitzgerald, Larry (Anne) Fitzgerald, Liz Markert, Don (Melody) Fitzgerald, Dennis Fitzgerald; daughters-in-law Peg Fitzgerald and Sue McGregor; 28 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren and one on the way along with several nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Richard Fitzgerald and Bob Sexton; her children Patsy Whitlatch, Dic, Bill (daughter-in-law Connie), Dave and Dale Fitzgerald; granddaughter Emily Markert; great-great-grandson Henry Wheeler; stepdaughters Karen Kleemeier, Nancy Laughlin, Mary Kathryn Hawkins and step-granddaughter Rebecca Deuel.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family. The family will pass the memorials on to numerous other organizations in Teresa’s honor.   

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