MADISON - Therese Werlein Duranso, age 96, of Madison, passed away on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Oak Park Place. She was born on March 4, 1928, in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of Thomas and Catherine (Tuohy) O'Shea.

Therese graduated from Visitation Catholic High School in Chicago with the class of 1946. On Nov. 23, 1950, she married Paul Werlein. They were blessed with three children and 38 years of marriage until his passing in 1989. She married James Duranso on April 4, 1993. He preceded her in death in 2018.

Prior to retirement, Therese worked as a copywriter for Ohmeda (now known as GE HealthCare). In her free time, she enjoyed reading, baking and knitting. She knitted countless infant hats for St. Mary's Hospital and volunteered numerous hours at the Warner Park Senior Center- New Bridge. She also volunteered at St. Peter Catholic Church and the Catholic Women's Club. In 2022, Therese received the Governor's Service Award for 20 years of service as an RSVP volunteer.

Therese is survived by her children, Kathy (Lon) Bartling, Gerard "Jer" Werlein and Julie Kirkpatrick; grandchildren, Nathan (Emily) Bartling, Heidi (Chris) Sokoloski, Alex (Rada) Kirkpatrick, Natalie (Greg) Millikin and Matthew (Jeffrey) Montoya-Werlein; great-grandchildren, Liam and Aiden Bartling, Noah Sokoloski and Emma Kirkpatrick; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Paul Werlein; second husband, James Duranso; sister, Sister Joan O'Shea; and grandchild, Andrew Werlein.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter Catholic Church, 5001 N. Sherman Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, with Father William Nolan presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Monday. A private family burial will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park

In lieu of flowers, donations in Therese’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Agrace HospiceCare or NAMI Southeast Wisconsin-Waukesha. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Therese Werlein Duranso

March 04, 1928 - July 28, 2024

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