Theresa Marie Petranick

Theresa Marie (Chatrnuch), daughter of Frank and Gizella Chatrnuch was born on April 25, 1933 in Johnson City, New York. She received her education from Binghamton Central High School and attended Harpur College for secretarial school in Binghamton, New York. After receiving her training, she first worked at Ansco Camera and then was hired to New York State Electric and Gas. She was employed at the power company when she met her future husband Albert Petranick in December 1957 on a blind date. After a whirlwind 6-week romance with Al, a graduate from the University of Notre Dame, who was in pilot training in the Air Force, Al proposed while stuck on the side of the road in a snowstorm. They were married in June 1958 and Terry became a traditional military wife.

Always interested in nursing care, Terry volunteered as a “Gray Lady” Red Cross Volunteer and served part-time at two military hospitals, while following her husband Al through several Air Force assignments at Dow AFB, Maine, Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico, Griffiss AFB in Rome, New York, and then to Offutt AFB in Bellevue, Nebraska, where he retired after 30 years of service, in 1986. A natural businesswoman, she ran her own dress shop business out of her home as a young mother. After raising four kids, Terry began her full-time career later in life at the Columban Fathers in 1976 in Bellevue, NE, as a part-time administrative assistant. In 1979, she was hired by the Packaging Corporation of America as an executive assistant and human resources manager in Omaha, Nebraska. At the age of 85, she retired in 2018, after 39 years. Terry took a lot of pride in her home and in the career she built from hard work and dedication. She was an active member of her church, St. Matthew’s Catholic Parish in Bellevue, NE, serving on boards and running the St. Mathews School fundraiser for six years. For the holidays, Terry’s joy was in cooking abundant traditional Slavic foods and having her children and grandchildren home for a generous Christmas year after year, shopping year-round in preparation.

Terry is preceded in death by both her parents, Frank and Gizella Chatrnuch, and all three sisters, Anne Bednarsky of Binghamton, New York in 2011, Helena Hornick of Owego, New York in 2017, and Margaret Dahulick of Binghamton, New York in 1978. Terry is survived by her loving husband of 64 years Albert Petranick of Johnson City, New York; sons Michael G. Petranick and his wife Karen of Bellevue, NE and Brian Petranick and his wife Kim of McGregor, Texas; along with daughters Judith Sauley, Col, Air Force Reserves (R) and her husband Edward, Maj Gen (R), Air National Guard, of Papillion, NE, and her daughter Lynn Green and her husband Robert, MSgt, Air Force (R) of Papillion, NE. Terry is also survived by 11 grandchildren in the Omaha area, with one grandchild in the US. Army in Kansas. Terry also has one great-grandson. In addition, Terry has many nieces and nephews throughout the United States.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Theresa's memory may be made to the Nebraska Humane Society.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.KahlerDolceMortuary.com for the Petranick family.