Theresa Messmer

Theresa Anne Messmer, 59, of Cape Girardeau passed away Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

She was born April 4, 1964, in Houma, Louisiana, to Anthony and Patricia Grasso. She and Clark Messmer were married Feb. 5, 1987, in Cape Girardeau.

Theresa served in several roles throughout her career, including as a secretary at St. Joseph Catholic School, financial clerk at Regional Primary Care and, most prominently, administrative assistant at Southeast Missouri State University, from which she was soon to retire.

She enjoyed swimming, being creative with art, spending time outside, but, most of all, spending time being a grandma.

She was of the Catholic faith.

Survivors include her husband, Clark Messmer; three daughters, Emily Messmer of Oran, Mollie Barnes of St. Louis and Abigail Messmer of the Czech Republic; mother, Patricia Grasso of Cape Girardeau; sister, Elizabeth Grasso of Evansville, Indiana; and four grandchildren, Elsie Ann Messmer, James Bradley Barnes, Lydia Mae Barnes and Eliza Marie Barnes.

Theresa was preceded in death by her father.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, at Shuck Recital Hall on the SEMO River Campus in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 26, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau, with the Rev. Allan Saunders officiating.

Memorial contributions may be given to Cardinal Glennon Children's Foundation, 3800 Park Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110.

Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.