Teresa Marie Latzel

Teresa Marie Latzel (Schwertner), 74, of Midkiff, Texas, was welcomed into our heavenly Father’s arms on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at her home. Visitation will begin at 8:30 am on Saturday, January 31, 2025 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Garden City. Rosary will be recited at the church that same morning at 9:00 am. Funeral Mass will be celebrated immediately following at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery.

A devoted wife, mother, grandma, aunt, and a friend to many, Teresa lived life to the fullest. She will be remembered for her love of family, photography, reading, music and walking on the beach. Her strength, faith, hope, and love will live forever in our hearts.

Born December 4, 1951, in San Angelo to Alexander and Irene Schwertner, Teresa grew up in Miles and Ballinger, graduating from Ballinger High School in 1970. She followed her passion for education at Angelo State University, graduating in 1973 with her Bachelor of Education degree. She taught Kindergarten at Rankin ISD and later was a Resource teacher at Grace Day Care in Midland.

For over 30 years, Teresa was the heartbeat of the Midkiff Public Library. She transformed the library into a community hub – not just for books, but for laughter and deep discussion. She was a visionary who modernized the library by having VHS and later, DVD movie rentals. All the while she personally fostered a love of reading through her cherished Summer Reading programs. She believed everyone had one good book in them to write. She may not have written a book, but she was an avid poem writer. Her poems told the story of her life as she wrote about major events throughout her life.

Teresa was a woman of “compassionate drive” and iron-clad determination. In the mid-1980s, she successfully petitioned the Rankin ISD school board to change student dress codes to allow students to wear shorts. She was also a fierce advocate for the deaf community, writing to national networks like NBC to demand closed captioning. Her efforts helped pave the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, mandating built-in captioning for televisions.

A lover of local history, she was a member of the Upton County Historical Society. She worked feverishly to secure a Historical Marker for Midkiff. When you pass that marker today, remember Teresa’s tireless research and her desire to preserve the story of her town.

In high school, she was known as the “Jester,” a title she lived up to throughout her life. She loved bringing people together for Scrabble, Bunco, and Wednesday lunches, holidays, and late-night volleyball games. Above all, her love for her family was undeniable. She and her husband Johnny, who preceded her in death just months earlier in November 2025, shared 52 years of marriage and a love for travel. For 45 consecutive years, they led the family on an annual pilgrimage to Port Aransas, Texas, to enjoy the beach together. They also went on cruises, traveled to Alaska and Hawaii.

Teresa is survived by her three children: Katherine Rasco (husband Bryan) of Lubbock, Steven Latzel (wife Heather) of Midkiff, and Michael Latzel (wife Sarah) of Bedford; and her seven cherished grandchildren: Taylor, Cason, Logan, Tristan, Aven, Ella, and Claire.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her brother, Alex Schwertner, Jr.

The family takes comfort in knowing she is at peace and home with her husband, Johnny and other family members that have gone before us. She was there for many of us when we needed her and we will remember her with every book we read, sunset/sunrise we take a picture of, or laughter we share over a game of Scrabble.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings may be considered for the Midkiff Public Library (PO Box 25 Midkiff, TX 79755. Note: In memory of Teresa Latzel/Upton County/Midkiff Library – new books.)

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory of Big Spring.  Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com

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