Theresa Lynn VanLieshout

Theresa L. VanLieshout, 67, died peacefully on January 27, 2026, after several years of bravely fighting cancer. She is the daughter of the late James and Phyllis VanLieshout, who raised her and her five brothers and sisters in Rothschild, Wisconsin. Theresa often spoke about the joy she had growing up in this community; swimming at the local pools, riding bikes, and getting into good-natured trouble with the other neighborhood kids.

Theresa graduated from D.C. Everest High School in 1977, and while attending school, competed in track, gymnastics, and swimming. In track, she won several state competitions and set school records, some of which she still held when her children attended high school. She was among the inaugural class of athletes honored as members of Everest’s Wall of Fame. Theresa stayed connected to Everest athletics in her adult life, working as a videographer for the Everest football team for many years and creating highlight reels for players looking to play college football.

Although she didn’t think of herself as one, Theresa was a trailblazer in many ways. She was among the first female athletes to be offered an athletic scholarship for college. In adulthood, she pursued a career in the then male-dominated fields of technical direction and videography. While working at WAOW, she was the first woman at the station to direct a live news broadcast. She went on to work as a videographer for Discover Wisconsin, where she traveled across the state capturing both the natural and cultural beauty that make up Wisconsin.

She also greatly enjoyed the outdoors by walking, paddle boarding, and golfing. Her family will (selfishly) miss her fantastic cooking, kindness, and deep well of empathy and care for others.

Theresa is survived by her husband, Doug Purdy, her two children: Natasha VanLieshout, and Andrew (Joey Ninabuck) Zuidema, her granddaughter: Melodi Ninabuck, her two sisters: Bonnie (Dick) Shane, and Ann (Jim) Hinner, her two brothers: Bob (Joan) VanLieshout, and Paul VanLieshout, her father and mother in law: Fred (Nina) Schroeder, her brother and sister in law: Michael (Kelly) Schroeder, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her brother: Bill VanLieshout, and her parents: James (Phyllis) VanLieshout.

Further details regarding a memorial service for Theresa will be provided at a later date.