Many things could describe Theresa (Bachmeier) Brossart of Rugby; faithful wife for over 60 years, mother of eight children, grandmother to 20 grandchildren and great grandmother of 11. She is a hard worker, a dedicated volunteer, loves to sew, loves to style hair, and is dedicated to her faith.

But what sets her apart in the modern world is that she enjoys embroidery. She has embroidered dish towels since she was a youngster growing up on the farm south of Rugby. She was one of 11 children, with seven sisters and three brothers. She still has the first set of tea towels that she embroidered, with the seven days of the week on them, just before her wedding. They have never been used, but have been washed and crisply ironed. She has embroidered many sets of towels and has been working on the prairie roses of North Dakota. She embroidered cupcakes on towels for her granddaughter in Fargo who loves to make cupcakes.

“It’s relaxing,” she said.

After she completed her education at German School #4, she stayed at home and worked on the farm. Once in awhile, Theresa would go to dances at Balta. That’s where she met her beau, Frank Brossart, who came from the other end of Pierce County. When she was 20 years old she married Frank in June of 1949. They farmed together and raised their family on a farm 14 miles north on Highway 3 and two miles west. Their son, Dwayne and his wife, Jessica, live on the farm today with their family. Dwayne is very special. He was their only son and had 7 sisters.

Theresa was a stay-at-home mom with eight youngsters to feed, do laundry, sew their clothes, teach them right from wrong and raise them to be the successful citizens they are today. There’s Sandy and her husband, Todd who live in Rugby; Donna and her husband Kent Christenson who runs C&H Repair, and live near Rugby; Barb and Wayne Welk farm near Willow City; Lorraine and husband Randy Myers Towner; Kathy and Don O’Connell, Colorado, the lone Irishman of the clan; and Carol and Jim Morken, Fargo.

It’s no wonder when her kids were raised, and she and Frank moved into Rugby, she needed something to occupy her time. It has been 25 years now that she has volunteered at HAMC. She enjoys styling hair and she knows the residents at Long Term Care and the Haaland Home like to have their hair styled. It was a perfect fit. She stays plenty busy substituting for the regular hairstylist at the Haaland Home. She also helps out with getting ready for Mass at Long Term Care.

As for Frank, he has a green thumb, according to his wife of 63 years. They now have some plants in front of the Little Flower Church to care for so that keeps Frank busy.