Theresa Ann Kriszcziokaitis

Theresa Kriszcziokaitis was born on first day of spring, March 21st, 1954, the third of six children. She was raised in Derby, Kansas. She passed away at home October 23rd, 2026.

Theresa was one of the most outgoing and social people you could ever meet. She never met a stranger, and could and usually did strike up a conversation with anyone and everyone whose path she crossed. Her spirit filled and lightened any room she walked into.

She graduated from Kaupun/Mt. Carmel in 1972, and attended Wichita State studying English Literature. After working at Joyland in high school, she worked for a law firm before spending some time living in Los Angeles working for an advertising agency in Hollywood, then returned home where she raised her only son and worked as a court clerk until her retirement in 2016.

Theresa loved traveling; from a young age she traveled all over the country with her parents and siblings, when she got older she traveled to England twice, and continued going on frequent trips all of her life. She loved the mountains and oceans, the major attractions and roadside tourist traps, and everything in between.

She was a Disney fanatic, and went to Disneyland and Disneyworld several times in her life. Her favorites where Sleeping Beauty and 101 Dalmatians. She was also a huge Wizard of Oz fan.

Animals were Theresa’s absolute favorite thing. She had a way of connecting with them unlike anyone else. She spent time volunteering at the Sedgwick County Zoo where she got to care for and interact directly with Elephants, Zebras, and all of the African and Asian animals, even the bears. In her travels she went on many animal interactions, including with dolphins and wolfs.

Theresa was a loving mother. Her son Colin was the joy of her life. In her own words, being a single parent was the hardest challenge of her life, but the most rewarding. She is a mother that truly loved her child with all of her heart and soul.

Theresa was preceded in death by her father Daniel Edward Kriszcziokaits and mother Fabina Marie Kriszcziokaitis, her brother Louis Patrick Kriszcziokaitis, and her dearest friends, Virginia, Paulette, Vicki, and Katie.

Theresa is survived by her son, Colin Christopher Kriszcziokaitis, her brothers and sisters Daniel David Kristie, Christine Marie Kristie (Bill), Lorretta Sue (Kriszcziokaitis) Nettleton (David), and Robin Shane Kriszcziokaitis (Lisa); Nieces and Nephews Sean (Amanda), Phillip (Kara), Erin, Natalie (Alex), Jessica (Tyler), and Alan (Andi), and longtime companion and travel pattern, Arv

Celebration of life service will be held at Smith Family Mortuary in Derby, KS on Saturday, November 14th, 2026 at 10:00 AM.

A memorial has been established with Beauties and Beasts.