Theresa Jo Waite of Winfield, Kansas, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2026, at the age of 82.

She was born on June 11, 1944 to Joseph and Edith (Huggins) Groene in Winfield. She attended rural county school for 2 years and then transferred to the Holy Name Catholic School newly built for the third grade in Winfield. She attended Winfield High School, graduating in 1962.

Following high school, she attended Sacred Heart Academy; known today as Newman University, Wichita Kansas. On October 26, 1963, she married Prentice Dwaine Waite at Holy Name Catholic Church in Winfield, KS. They lived in rural Winfield on her family farm, celebrating 62 years together before his passing.

In 1984, she went to work for ABEL Services, a computer and bookkeeping business, later becoming a computer store in Winfield. In 1987, she went to work for the Cowley Appraiser’s Office as part of the reappraisal of Kansas. Theresa continued her career at the Cowley County Appraiser’s department; working in many areas. She retired in August, 2012 after 26 years serving as the Cowley County Appraiser.

In her early years, she was actively involved with her community and church. She spent time in Future Homemakers of America, the Winfield High School newspaper, The Oracle, and Cowley County 4-H. At the 1963 Cowley County Fair, she was named the County Hereford Queen. As an adult, she served on many different committees in leadership; The American Hereford Auxiliary, Kansas Hereford Association, Cowley County Cowbells, Cowley County Extension boards, Cowley County Fair, Cowley County Farm Bureau, Jaycee Jayne’s, and the Republican Township Women Chairman for Fairview Township. For her church, she locally served faithfully in many areas leading to her leadership terms for the Wellington District Council of Catholic Women and the Wichita Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.

Born the daughter of a farmer/cattleman, she married a farmer/rancher and she lived her entire life in the home from her birth. In 2007, she and husband, Dwaine, owners of M Bar Ranch, were named Breeder of the Year by the Kansas Hereford Association.

Throughout her life she enjoyed gardening alongside her husband, cooking and canning in the family kitchen, and a love for fabric and quilting designs. She enjoyed many years attending the Merry Makers Farmers’ Wives group and the Walnut Valley Quilters Guild.

In addition to her parents and husband, Theresa was preceded in death by her infant sister, Mary Jeanette Groene.

She is survived by Dwaine’s nephews, Justin Waite (Kathy) and Austin Waite (Debbi) plus many numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

The Rosary will be prayed at 9:30 AM, Monday, July 27, 2026, at Holy Name Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM at the church, and burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. A visitation is scheduled at Miles Funeral Service on Sunday from 3 to 7 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established in Theresa’s memory with the Cowley County 4-H Shooting Sports, Tisdale 4-H Club, and the Holy Name Catholic School. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.