I enjoyed a visit with Terese Weis and her five daughters a few weeks ago at her farm in Palmer township. Terese has been on the farm 71 years. 

As I looked over all the wonderful photos, I saw so many familiar things. Tractors, silos, a team of horses which looked like what I would imagine both my grandfathers’ work horses looked like.

There were photos of things close to my own heart: farm equipment, cows, 4-H projects and a prized field of corn from a good year of crops. Things city kids might not know too much or care a lot about. 

Terese Ann Balder was born July 17, 1927 in St. George Township near Duelm to George and Mayme (Doyle) Balder. She was one of five children. Her nationality is half Irish and half German. 

Terese graduated from Foley. She met John Weis at a neighbor’s house gathering and they married April 24 of 1948 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Duelm and bought a large farm in Palmer township. 

Terese and John farmed all their married life until John passed away Aug. 28, 2008. Grandson Kelly (Neal’s son) continues to farm and manage with the support of the family, which includes Breezy Acres (the original farm  John and Terese purchased), as well as neighboring sesquicentennial farm Shady Nook from their ancestors - Tom and Mary (Brady) Carlin, who settled on the property in 1856 after immigrating from Ireland. 

Terese shared these sentiments with me: “I was always proud to be a farmer’s wife”. Her heartfelt sentiment made me think of my own mother. Terese’s daughters describe their mom as ‘the glue’ in the Weis family and their dad as ‘the rock’. 

Terese named their farm Breezy Acres shortly after they purchased the farm and moved in because it was extremely windy until John planted trees to provide a windbreak.

My own family has much in common with the Weis family and are blessed to call them friends. I would describe both of our families as large and loving families with deep roots in farming and a strong faith in God. We have had many similar experiences, including being active in 4-H. Terese’s husband, John Weis, was the National 4-H Health Champion in 1943 at age 18!

My mom grew up in the Palmer area and knew John’s family. Terese’s daughters remember my dad picking up milk at their farm. 

As I visited with Terese and her daughters, I could sense the Weis family’s deep love of their precious mother. She is clearly the spoke in the Weis family wheel. Terese has a quiet, gentle, loving way about her. She has such kindness in her face. Her eyes reveal her humble sweet spirit, and her smile is incredibly welcoming. 

Terese and John raised eight children on their family farm: Brian, Maureen, Kathleen, Eileen, Kelly, Neal, Colleen and Sheileen. Sadly, Terese has buried her three sons. Kelly passed away in 1978 at the age of 21; Neal passed away in 2010 at the age of 48 and Brian passed away in 2018 at the age of 68. Terese has experienced many hardships, but has persevered despite obstacles. She is truly an inspiration.

Terese loves music. She loves to sing and harmonize. She plays the accordion, piano and keyboard. Terese played the pump organ at St. Lawrence Church in Duelm for the Saturday night services while growing up. Two of her favorite songs are My Wild Irish Rose and Green Green Grass of Home. John once traded an extra  1952 Chevy car for a 120 base accordion for Terese!  

Terese shared many interesting stories with me. For instance, after her doctor sent her home and told her it was too early for her to deliver, Terese gave birth to her third child (Kathleen) on October 7, 1952 in their 1948 International pickup along Jefferson Highway (near what is now Hwy. 10) in St. Cloud near the Dew Drop Inn restaurant (now Lincoln Depot)! Her husband stopped the truck and helped deliver the baby and wrapped their newborn daughter in his sweater. Since Terese was in the drivers seat after giving birth, she proceeded to drive their pickup truck, clutch and all, to the hospital.

Terese’s daughters told me she was widely known for preparing delicious home cooked meals and delivering them to the fields to her husband and children. On at least one occasion, Terese serve a full meal to the work crew on glass dishes (before the era of paper plates) in the fields near Palmer on the corner of County Roads 3 and 6.  

As farm kids, the Weis and Erickson families have a shared appreciation for farm humor and an understanding that a person needs a sense of humor. We have many laughs when we are together. The Weis’ are all hard working and very fun people to spend time with. 

Terese enjoys spending time with her family. She has 21 grandchildren and the same number of great grandchildren, who often stop by to visit.