Theresa had many passions in her life – family and animals.She is a beloved mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend.Theresa was larger than life in everything she did.She lived ‘outside the box'.Actually, she created her own ‘box'.Treat, as she is known to her family had many friends and people whose life she touched in her unique ways but there were a limited few who she allowed close to her heart.
Her beautiful only child, Sarah Niko - who ‘frustrated the hell out of her AND was her best friend at the same time'.As an 18-year old mother, Theresa raised Sarah as a single-mom.Like every parent, Treat wants nothing but the best for her child.Sarah has been Theresa's primary at-home caregiver during the past 4+ years.In the last difficult months, Theresa has been so proud of Sarah's growth and good decisions.Treat will be watching as Sarah spreads her butterfly wings.
Michael "Duke" –the love of her life who was her match in wit, intellect and craziness. NO ONE told a better story or joke than Treat and Duke.They had perfect timing until his untimely passing 16 years ago.Treat continued to have great stories and jokes wherever she went.She also had a heart for giving. After the passing of her beloved Michael ‘Duke' in 2001, Theresa organized and hosted the Duke Memorial Golf tournament for 10 years raising thousands of dollars each year for heart and cancer research, donating to non-profits and small organizations in the local area.She loved horses and dogs especially she and Duke's four-legged children—Bob and Margaret.Now their comedy routine is playing in heaven.
As the tenth child in such a large family Treat didn't need babysitters or summer camps.There were brothers and sisters to share everything from hand-me-down clothes, to house and yard work and a bedroom.This set-up many disagreements, tears and knock-down fights but it also built a bond between Theresa and her siblings that is stronger than any natural or manmade material.
As a child growing up on Spruce Street in south Omaha her long blonde hair would fly in the wind as she took on many high-spirited adventures often with her older brother, Dennis.Although her adventures with Dennis often resulted in broken bones or some other calamity for Treat, as soon as she was healed she would be right behind him cooking-up another challenge to become the beautiful wildflower in our lives.She developed her influencing skills early in her life.For example, when she was 5 years old, she brought home a stray cat, Mittens.Somehow she was able to convince mom & dad to allow a cat in the house with 10 brothers and sisters and Freckles, the dog.By the way, Mittens, was the only cat the Ostdiek family ever owned.
Theresa attended Gilder and St. Bernadette grade schools, Bryan Jr. High and Technical High.She worked towards a para-legal degree through Metro Comm. College.With her quick mind and ability to easily connect with people she made the world around her better in whatever occupation she pursued. She worked as a bartender and ran in-house kitchens for a significant time of her life.It was in this profession she acquired the nickname, Charley.Her most recent occupation was in medical collections.To many people this may seem an awful job but Treat understood how devastating health care costs could be on families.She applied her knowledge, skill and loving support to create success plans for many of her clients.
She was well read and enjoyed discussing how to help underserved people in our society.She was a compelling conversationalist and loved discussing politics, current events and her latest James Patterson novels especially with her mother-in-law, Lorene.Saturday mornings for the past 15 years you would find Theresa, Lorene,Evelyn, Sarah and other guests spending time together over brunch at Summer Kitchen.
Our Treat once said she was afraid she'd be forgotten after she passed.It is very safe to say Theresa, ‘Treat', ‘Charley—YOU ARE ‘ONE OF A KIND' and will always be remembered.
Treat was preceded in death by her spouse Michael (Duke) Dulkoski; father, E.J. Ostdiek;father-in-law, James Dulkoski; sister, Mary McKernan; brother-in-law, Phil Krieg; great-nephew, Asher Ostdiek.
She is survived by daughter, Sarah Villeneuve; mother, Evelyn Ostdiek; mother-in-law, Lorene Dulkoski; sisters Ann Krieg, Beth Ostdiek Smith, Vikki (Tom) Jaeger, Laurie (Kevin) Klein; brothers, Jim (Mary) Ostdiek, Bob (Laura) Ostdiek, Bill (Barb) Ostdiek, John Ostdiek, Dennis (Laurie) Ostdiek; brothers-in-law Jim McKernan, Mick Smith; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
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