Gothenburg - Theresa E. Lydic, 86, of Gothenburg, died Sept. 4, 2004, at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg.

Theresa was born June 8, 1918, three miles west of Campbell, to Henry and Rose DeMars Derra. She attended Hilltop Country School at Campbell. They moved seven miles south of Farnam when she was 12 years old and then attended Happy Hollow Country School south of Farnam until 9th grade. She graduated from Farnam High School in 1937. She did housework in the Farnam and Gothenburg area for a number of years. Theresa worked for the Phil Gaudreault family and Frenchie's Cafe in Gothenburg.

On Jan. 15, 1942, she married R. Wray Lydic at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Farnam. Shortly after their marriage Wray went into the service, World War II, while she and Wray's parents kept the farm going until his return in 1945. They farmed and ranched north west of Farnam on East Deer Creek until they retired and moved to Gothenburg in 1990.

Mrs. Lydic was a past member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Farnam and Alter Society, Charter Member of H.O.P. Extension Club, she was a past chairperson of the Dawson County Extension Clubs, Member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Gothenburg. She was active as a 4-H parent and enjoyed playing bridge and pitch. Gardening, cooking, dancing, friends and her love of family occupied most of her life. She and Wray were active participants in Marriage Encounter.

Survivors include her husband, R. Wray of Gothenburg; a daughter, Mary Ann (Brad) Porter of Fremont; three sons, Donald W. Lydic of Brady, James C. (Joyce) of Brady, and Thomas D. (Dawn) of Brady; a brother, Donald (Vonnie) Derra of Gothenburg; eight grandchildren, Jennifer (John) Bonta of North Platte, Nathan Lydic of Brady, Sarah (Mike) Roberts of Brady, Robert (Bob) Lydic of Brady, Adam and Megan Porter of Fremont, Rachel and Joshua Lydic of Brady; and four great-grandchildren, Abby, Hallee, Devin Bonta, and James Roberts.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Virgil, Richard and Bernard Derra; and two sisters, Viola Hampson and Belle Thomalla.

Memorials are suggested to Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, St. Joseph Catholic Church or the Farnam Rescue Squad.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Gothenburg with the Rev. Donald O'Brien as celebrant. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today at the church. Burial is in the Farnam Cemetery in Farnam.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. today at Blase Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg.

North Platte Telegraph, 05 Sep 2004