Theresa Wald

Theresa J. (Mack) Wald of Grand Forks, ND passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at Valley Senior Living on Columbia at the age of 96! 

Theresa Johana (Mack) Wald was born on May 26, 1925, to John G. and Katherine (Deringer) Mack at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Minot, North Dakota. Both parents were German immigrants from Russia; John was born in Elsace, and Katherine was born in Neu Schlossel, areas which are now in Ukraine.  Theresa and her siblings were raised by a mother and father who were always present in the home.

First attending a one-room school (Hubbell School #3, District 27, McHenry County, North Dakota), Theresa then went to Central High School in Grand Forks, ND, graduating in 1943. She received credits form nine different universities, including colleges in North Dakota, Minnesota, New York, and Quebec, Canada. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Minot State University.

Theresa was a member of many groups, including the Order Franciscan Secular, American Association of University Women, International Women’s Writer’s Guild, International Training in Communications, Germans from Russia, Souris Valley Humane Society, National Association of Parliamentarians, League of Women Voters, Minot Patrons of the Library, McHenry County Historical Society, Den Mother for Cub Scouts, and a life time member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She held offices in several of the organization. She was also the Gold Star representative for her family.

Theresa had several books published and was an avid painter, holding two shows in Minot, ND. Hobbies included writing, collection old bank notes, sewing and playing the organ, accordion, and harp. She travelled extensively, visiting New Zealand, Australia, the USSR, Germany, Belgium, Hawaii, Mexico, and France.  

While attending high school, Theresa worked at the old Frederick Café in Grand Forks (doing dishes for her meals) and as a car hop at the Root Beer Barrels in Grand Forks and Crookston for $9.27 per week. After high school she worked in the accounting department of Norther States Power. During World War II she worked for Eastern Aircraft in Linden, New Jersey, where Theresa was awarded the Army-Navy “E” for excellence and voted in as the pin-up girl. During this time, she also worked as a cashier at the New Theatre in Elizabeth, New Jersey and was in the Miss America Pageant in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

In 1945 she went to work first for the Librascope Engineering Firm in Burbank, California, and then worked for the Forest Lawn Park and Mortuary, where many movie stars were interred. Returning to North Dakota, Theresa was an employee of Minnkota Power Co-op, as well as W.P. Axtman Public Accounting firm. After moving to Minneapolis, she worked for Honeywell, Gale Institute pre-airlines school, and the Manpower Temporary Employment Services, where Theresa was given the honor of “Manpower Sue,” the employer most adapted to fill temporary jobs in the St. Paul and Minneapolis areas for the year 1956.

Theresa met Ben Wald of Karlsruhe, ND while in Minneapolis. They were married in 1957 and resided in Minot.  Ben passed away in 1992 and Theresa moved back to Grand Forks in 1993, where she attended classes at the University of North Dakota.

Theresa was preceded in death by husband Benedict Edward Wald, a brother, Staff Sergeant Anton Mack (WWII), her parents, and sisters Katherine Feist (Grand Forks), Emily Spenst (Forest Grove, Oregon), and Mary Preston (Grand Forks). Theresa was honored to be the Godmother of thirty-three children.

Donations in memory of Theresa (Mack) Wald may be made to:

Prairie Village Museum, Rugby, ND.

102 Hwy 2 SE, Ste A

Rugby, ND 58368

701-776-6414 

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12:00 noon at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Grand Forks.  Visitation will be for one hour prior to the mass in the church.  Interment will be in St. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Karlsruhe, North Dakota.