Joseph L. Tereau

Surrounded by loved ones, Joseph Louis Tereau passed peacefully in Santa Rosa, California on September 7, 2019 at the age of 96.​Known by those who loved him as “Pete”, the nickname was given to him by his grandmother at a young age.  Pete was born on August 25, 1923 to Joseph Tereau and Bessie Gobin in Little Canada, Minnesota back when it was still known as New Canada.​At the age of 19, Pete joined the Marines, and served in the Pacific in actions at Emirau, St. Matthias Group, Leyte, and Mindanao.  A proud World War II veteran, Pete loved public service and celebrated causes supporting veterans.  Pete was an enthusiastic lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1929, in Petaluma, California.​A jack of many trades, after his military service, Pete worked on the family farm; and also as a well driller. He retired after 30 years and 6 months from Paper Calmenson & Co. as a steel worker.  In his free time, Pete was an accomplished wood craftsman, and loved creating rustic yard art and custom furniture pieces for friends and family.  He was witty and quick to smile.  Pete loved playing cards, John Wayne, western movies, playing his accordion, the spoons, and dancing. The Tereau family was known for their big New Year’s celebrations at his parent’s house. The event was such a big deal, they would start cooking after Christmas every year to get ready.  Pete was always very proud of his well maintained yards, his flowers, and his fruit trees.   For many years, Pete captained his pontoon on Sundays taking the family for rides on the lake followed by picnic gatherings.​He lived in Little Canada, Minnesota until 1983 when he moved to Napa, California, but would still return to Little Canada each summer to the home he loved on the lake, making the trip in his favorite Buick to spend time with friends and family.​Pete was fortunate to have two “loves of his lifetime”.  Margaret (“Toots”) Kramlinger (nee Yeager) which they spent 31 years together until her passing in 1981, and Sonia (“Sunny”) Vance (nee Kravchook) which they spent 28 years together until she predeceased him  in 2011.  Pete is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Bessie and his 8 siblings: Wallace, Eleanor, Violet, June, Bernadette, Kate, Floreen, and Loureda. Pete is survived by his daughter Samantha Vance and son-in-law Glenn Newcomer; grandchildren: Andece, Jakob, and Maddex; many nieces and nephews, and extended family.​Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 AM Friday, September 20 at ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURCH, 380 E. Little Canada Rd., Little Canada. Interment St. John's Church Cemetery. Visitation at MUELLER-BIES FUNERAL HOME - ROSEVILLE, 2130 N. Dale St. @ County Rd B, from 4-8 PM Thursday 9/19, and at the church from 10-11 AM Friday 9/20.​Luncheon to follow the burial at the Rosetown American Legion Post #542700 W. County Road C, Roseville, MN 55113.​In lieu of flowers, please send donations to VFW Auxiliary, P.O. Box 29, Petaluma, CA 94953.  All contributions will be used for the VFW’s Veterans’ Holiday Hospital Project .