Theresa Lapp Barrett, 76

Theresa Lapp Barrett passed peacefully in her home surrounded by family on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. She was born on Sept. 27, 1950, in Whitefish, where she was born and raised. She was the daughter of Ed and Phyllis Lapp and grew up surrounded by family, love, and the beautiful Montana community she called home.

Theresa has shared her life with her husband and best friend, Rick. Together, they built a family and a life filled with love, faith, laughter and countless memories. She is the proud mother of three children, Dawn, Shaunda, and Aaron, and the grandmother of seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Family has always been at the heart of Theresa’s life. She has a humble spirit and has always been someone who cared for her family deeply and selflessly. She had a strength about her that carried her through life’s challenges, and when she set her mind to something, she was determined to see it through.

One of the things people will always remember about Theresa is her smile. It was the kind of smile that could literally light up a room. Her warmth made people feel welcome, loved, and at home.
Theresa found joy in the simple things. She loved cooking and baking, and there always seemed to be a batch of homemade cookies waiting for someone to enjoy. She loved to knit and quilt, work crossword puzzles, and was truly the queen of Scrabble. There was almost always a puzzle laid out somewhere, waiting for someone to sit down and work on it with her.

Her faith was the foundation of her life. Theresa’s trust in God was unshakable. Through every season, she held firmly to her faith and believed in God’s goodness and faithfulness. Her life has been a testimony of strength, trust, perseverance, and love.

Theresa was one of six siblings: Clayton, Jerry, Kenneth, Bill, Marilyn, and her half-sister Melissa. She has experienced the loss of her brother Bill, while her other siblings continue to carry forward the bond and memories of their family.

Theresa’s legacy is not found only in the things she accomplished, but in the people she loved, the lives she touched and the faith she lived out every day. She will be remembered for her strength, her caring nature, her selfless heart, her determination, her laughter, her beautiful smile and the unwavering love she gave to her family.

Most of all, Theresa’s greatest legacy is the love she has poured into her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and everyone blessed to know her. 

No services will be held at her request. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family.

    Theresa Lapp Barrett