Teresa Kay Alderfer — UPDATED
Teresa Kay Alderfer, 45, of Rochester, passed away at 9 p.m., Wednesday, June 26, 2019, at Parkview Regional Medical Center of Fort Wayne.
On Feb. 24, 1974, she was born in Goshen to Jimmy and Mary Ruff Wilhite. Growing up, she shared her childhood with a brother, Rex. Alderfer graduated with the class of 1994 from Tippecanoe Valley High School. Continuing her education, she received an associates of arts degree in early education and accounting and a diploma as a certified nursing assistant. With great compassion, Alderfer took care of patients at Miller’s, Life Care Center and the Behavioral Health Center.
At Faith Out Reach Center of Rochester, she and Christopher Edwin Alderfer were married on July 30, 2005. They have shared over 19 years of life’s adventures.
To relax, Alderfer enjoyed coloring intricate designs. She latch-hooked many special gifts for her family. Alderfer loved to be outdoors with her family and liked to play softball. A traditional fan of country music, Alderfer’s favorite artists are Patsy Cline and Reba McEntire. With a heart of gold and great passion for animals, she once bottle fed a small black kitten with a white heart on his chest. She raised him, he became known as Jaxyn, her comfort pet, the domestic short-haired best friend.
Left to cherish Alderfer’s memory are her husband, Chris; five children, Talyn “TJ” Becker of Rochester, Anaisha Garrison and husband David of Marion, Kylee Clark, Kyrstin Alderfer, Garrett Alderfer all of Rochester; a granddaughter due to arrive on Nov. 15, Ezrah Kay Garrison; parents, Mary Wilson and husband Monte of Akron and Jimmy Wilhite of Arkansas, brother, Rex Wilhite of Rochester, father and mother-in-law, Charles and Sharon Alderfer of Rochester, brother-in-law, Tim Robertson of Bourbon and her treasured feline companion Jaxyn.
Preceding Teresa in death are a son Gaige Alyn Becker in September 1995 and her grandparents.
A celebration of the life of Teresa Kay Alderfer will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 1, in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th St., Rochester. Pastor Terry Baldwin will officiate. Friends may visit with the family from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday in the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Riley Children’s Foundation, 30 South Meridian St. Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46204-3509. Electronic expressions of sympathy may be made to her family at www.goodfamilyfh.com