Therese Ngudia

Therese Ngudia, 55, of Galesburg, died at 2:03 p.m. Thursday, June 13, 2019 at OSF Richard Owens Hospice House in Peoria. Therese was born on June 12, 1964 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the daughter of Joseph Ntumba and Louise Miandabu.  Therese married Cesaire Murhula in 1998 in the Congo. Therese is survived by her parents; her husband Cesaire of Galesburg; two sons, Fiston and Ezechiel Murhula both of Galesburg; three daughters, Nana Djunga, Gracia Neema, and Lumiere Bantanga all of Galesburg; and one granddaughter.  Therese is also survived by three brothers, Frank Mwambakana, Carlos Kalaja, and Detchi Tchimbalanga; and six sisters, Rose Mujinga, Mbuyi Ntumba, Zozo Ntumba, Picha Ntumba, Louise Miandabu, and Claudine Ntumba. Therese received her BA in Commerce while living in Africa.  In 2011 the family moved to the United States. Since moving to the United States, Therese has been employed at Smithfield Foods in Monmouth.  She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints in Galesburg.   Therese was a wonderful, Intelligent and strong mother who always looked out for the welfare of family. She took on many challenges in her life, amongst which “coming to America” was one. Even though she knew how hard it would be to move away from her extended family, friends and career to travel 18,000 kilometers to another continent and country with a different language than hers, she was ready  to take on the challenge. Therese was a friend, daughter, aunt and mother who taught by example through everything she’s ever done. Her example of hard work, strength of character and ability to never give up will always stand as a flag to honor her memory. Therese was a woman of faith who believed in God the Father, His son Jesus-Christ and the Holy Spirit. Her belief was the foundation on which she built her life upon and she always strived to live a good life and to do all that she could to prepare to meet her maker. May her soul rest in peace. Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, June 21, 2019 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1977 E. Fremont St., Galesburg.  Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Bishop Todd Hendrickson will officiate.  Burial will follow in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg.  Memorials may be made to the family in care of Fiston Murhula.