Teresa "Terri" Ann Schutterle

Marengo-Teresa “Terri” Ann Schutterle, 77, of Marengo, passed away on March 3, 2026 at Rose Haven Nursing Home in Marengo after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Private Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, March 12, 2026 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Williamsburg with Father Francis Mensah officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Marengo.

Terri is survived by her husband, Don of Marengo, daughters Amber Vranek O’Connor of Cedar Rapids, Tess (Jay) Coghlan of Marengo, and Denise (Marc) Tucker of Ely; five grandchildren Sienna and Aidan O’Connor of Cedar Rapids, Dawson Coghlan of Marengo, Jacob (Jessica) Freemyer of Bettendorf, and Kaylie Tucker of Moore, OK; 6 great grandchildren Dallas, Dakota, Rose, Luna, Gabriel, and Kyler. She is also survived by her sisters Vicki Meyer of Indianola, Shelli (Darrell) Bentley of Cedar Rapids, her dogs Maisy, Izi, and Sable, and countless friends, former colleagues, and former students.

She was preceded in death by her parents Herschel and Dorothy Freshour, her in-laws Edward and Bernice Schutterle, brother-in-law George Meyer, and a niece, Jill Meyer.

Teresa Ann Freshour was born February 21, 1949, in Belle Plaine, Iowa to Herschel and Dorothy (Dohnalek) Freshour. She received her education from Iowa Valley Community School District, graduating from Iowa Valley High School in 1967. She graduated from Mount Mercy College in 1971 and began her teaching career shortly after. Terri was united in marriage to Don Schutterle on June 17, 1988 in Marengo.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to the Iowa County Food Bank, PO Box 1121, Williamsburg, IA 52361.

Terri poured her heart into the town she proudly called home. A lifelong resident and devoted public servant, she lived a life defined by steady commitment and generous spirit. Through decades of faithful work and quiet leadership, she became not only a familiar face, but a cornerstone of the place and people she loved.

Her commitment to service took many meaningful forms over the years. She began as an elementary school teacher within the HLV Community School District. Later, she opened her home as an in-home daycare provider, offering a safe and loving environment to the families she cared for. She went on to become a local business owner, taking over ownership of A&B Fashions, a ladies' clothing store on the Marengo square, from her mother. When the store closed, she worked in the Iowa County Treasurer’s office and for Tom Sandersfeld. She then returned to education as a caring and dependable member of the Iowa Valley High School staff, always ready with a listening ear or a hug.

She retired from education, but not from her community. Before anyone knew it, she had stepped into a leadership role at the Iowa County Food Bank, pouring her heart into caring for neighbors facing food insecurity. She gave countless hours with quiet dedication and an open heart. Under her guidance, families received more than groceries — they were met with kindness and respect.

Above all, Terri believed in the power of small, consistent acts of care. She believed in her community fiercely—often before others saw its full potential—and she worked quietly but persistently to help it flourish. Her story reminds us that the truest measure of a life is not what we gather, but what we give—and in that measure, her life was abundant.

The family would like to thank the staff at Compass Memorial Healthcare, Rose Haven Nursing Home, and Essence of Life Hospice for all their kind, compassionate, and loving care Terri received during her cancer battle.