Theresa Dyk Yadon had a very large gathering of family and friends assembled to welcome her into Heaven on January 21, 2019. She also had the comfort of hearts and hands by her side.

Long ago, on August 17, 1924, in a little farmhouse just down the hill, a little girl was born. She was the middle child-well, there would turn out to be a lot of middle children, as she ended up with 12 siblings when it was all said and done!

Theresa was welcomed by her parents William Sr. and Jenny (Bos) Dyk, at the farmhouse, just outside of Amsterdam, MT.

Mom never moved too far from there. After high school graduation, she was met by a classmate who told her "he'd be seeing more of her" in the time to come.

Clarence Yadon, "Junior" married Theresa on October 27, 1944. Blessed with five kids, they worked together and served others. Meals around the kitchen table, sometimes whipped up in a hurry, or taken on a picnic, were shared with missionaries, family, and friends. A day-trip to Yellowstone Park was one of her favorite 'vacations'. Mom loved to remake clothes into something new for us and enjoyed tending her garden. Together they operated a dairy farm, southeast of Manhattan, until his health began to fail in the mid 1970's. She cared for him with her hands until he passed on to Heaven in 1986 and forever carried him in her heart.

Persistence and grit served her as she moved from the farm to town. She formed new friendships with the great people who lived near her and faithfully walked daily the trail along Dry Creek Road. She prayed during these walks as it was one of the times she devoted to converse with her Lord. She often told us, "If you don't use it, you'll lose it!" and she refused to let the physical struggles ground her.

Hard work was what she knew-and some of life was hard. There were many losses: parents, husband, all 12 siblings (some of them at a young age), her daughter Sandra Foster Murphy, son-in-law Melvin, and their infant granddaughter.

There were tons of gifts and blessings, too. Friends of many years at the Belgrade Alliance Church, ladies in Bible studies over the years, and many kind and caring neighbors, would be at the top of her list.

Jesus was by far her best Friend, the One who gave her complete peace in her forever future and was her comfort and strength while here on earth.

Her children Shirlee (Vern) Phillips of Billings, Nolan (Sandy) Murphy of Cardwell, Robert (Sally) Yadon, of Manhattan, Debra (Marvin) Erickson of Belgrade, and Rhonda (Drake) Albertson of Manhattan are blessed to be left with Mom's extraordinary legacy. Lord help us honor her in how we carry this forward.

She welcomed 15 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and 15 great-great-grandchildren into this family.

When recently asked what she thought would be the first thing she'd do when she arrived in Heaven, she replied, "I think I'll worship the King! Before I find my family, I'll just worship the King!"

We have hearts that are overfilled with gratitude for the over-the-top loving and kind care given our mom by Churchill Assisted Living. Compassus Hospice supported them well to allow Mom to remain in their care.

Visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 25, from 2 to 7 P.M. at Dokken-Nelson. Graveside Services will be held Saturday, Jan. 26 at 10 A.M. at Meadowview Cemetery, followed by a Memorial Service at 11 A.M. at Belgrade Alliance Church.

Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service.