Memory of Someone Very Special In My Life

Her name was Teresa Heinz, and she was my great-aunt. She was my inspiration at a time when I struggled with feeling connected. When my family was in a difficult place she was a safe haven for me. Andy and Irene Burke were my Grandparents. Their pictures are below.

Visiting my Grandparents in Ipswich, South Dakota was my most special place as a child. We spent many summers visiting them. I clearly remember the sound of the swing-set in the school courtyard next to my Grandparent's house. To this day I can hear that sound and I have no idea why it captivated me, but for some reason, it felt safe. They say most of that small town located in North Central South Dakota was somehow related to the Burke family. With a population of around 1100, I felt very connected and loved spending time there. One special person that I could not wait to visit each time we went to Ipswich was the sister to my Grandmother, my great aunt, Teresa Heinz. She was a wonderful, compassionate woman who always inspired and encouraged me. She always said, "You come here and never ask for anything, when anyone else visits they always expect something from me but you never ask for anything". She would always walk around her house to see what she could give me. She was a devout Catholic. The closest thing to a Nun I had ever met. Although she wasn't a nun she lived as one. She never married and never had any children. She owned a candle factory called Lux Candle Company (which is still operating to his day). She provided candles for Catholic churches all over the country.

She would sit me down and talk to me about the Catholic Church...its history. She put a love in my heart for the things of God. My childhood memories of being in the church were attending the "folk mass" and I would lie down pretending to be asleep and the music was all I heard. Interestingly, when I was 18, I found another church that was "Pentecostal". I visited this church because my Mother had started to attend and the first Sunday I went there the music captivated my heart. Seeing people worship and dance was something I was not used to but the history I had of absorbing the music at the Catholic Church drew me immediately. I could not get the music out of my head. It drew me back to that church where I stayed for 25 years. In that church, I met my husband, Dan Kveene and we raised our children under the leadership of Pastor Gary & Evelyn Johnson.

I remember as a teenager having a friend tell me one day, "You are very religious...aren't you?". I was not living a godly life but there was something resident in my heart and naturally, that kept me pursuing God. Even with all the shaking taking place in my family as a teenager it was like an anchor for me. I found my way back to God at 18. I was living with my boyfriend when I visited the Lord's Chapel where my Mother and Stepfather had been going. I later learned that the whole church was praying for me. Prior to visiting that church, I became born-again by myself in my apartment. I got on my knees and cried out to God to save me. No one told me I needed to be saved, it was something resident in my heart already. Naturally, the Lord led me to this new church where I would learn more about Him and grow in my relationship with Him. I moved into my parent's house as I knew that living with my boyfriend no longer felt right. My life was dramatically changed from that point on.

As a young child, my family was not what you would consider "church goers" but we visited the Catholic Church often. I believe that the acceptance of my great aunt Teresa planted a seed in my life as she sat there talking to me about God and telling me she believed I would one day be a Nun. Today, I love the Lord with all my heart and have made many sacrifices to serve my God and his church. Never underestimate the power of a seed planted in the heart of a child. In the midst of chaos, my great-aunt, Teresa was a solid foundation and someone who believed in me when others abandoned me. What a true saint she was in my life. Much is accredited to her account for causing this young girl to dream and for taking the time to reveal God to me who became so real in my life. I will forever be grateful for her inspiration and guidance in my life.

Tammy Kveene