Born on May 30, 1937, in Hungary, daughter of the late Joseph and Elizabeth Zimmermann Siklos, she was a longtime Hunterdon County, NJ resident.

Faith, resiliency and hope are three words that have come to define the life and the legacy of this most special woman. Escaping and surviving World War II, Theresa’s family came to the United States settling first in New York City, NY. It was a different era, with immigrants clustered in various areas where they would help each other become accustomed to the free world. It was a sense of community that Theresa never forgot.

When she was 18, she would meet a young 23 year old boy named Ludwig Altvater. The two would realize quickly that fate had brought them together, and they soon married and moved to Astoria, Queens. In 1959, with a young family on the horizon, Theresa and Ludwig decided that New York City was not where they wanted to raise a family, and they found a farm in faraway Delaware Township, NJ, which reminded them of their childhoods, and that they felt would be the best spot to grow their life in the United States that Ludwig had dubbed, “The greatest place in the world.”

Farming life was not an easy life, but Theresa’s early years taught her that hard work was important for success. In addition to working on the farm, she became the mother to two sons, Ludwig, Jr., and Joseph, who became the reason for her existence. She was loving, caring and always there for her sons. A phenomenal cook, she brought many ideas and recipes from the “old world” and taught her family how to grow their own food and pickle and make traditional Hungarian delicacies. She was an expert sewer, and there pretty much was not anything on the farm that she was afraid to do; if she was not sure how to do something, she would take the time to learn, a valuable gift she instilled in her sons and the next generations. She showed them, by example, that they could accomplish anything they set their minds to and for that she will always be looked upon with admiration.

With hard work came reward, and Theresa and Ludwig enjoyed dancing the Polka, as well as spending time with family and friends celebrating whatever occasion they could; from holidays to birthdays, everything in life was a cause to celebrate. Simply put, Theresa lived each day to the fullest as her childhood taught her how short life could be, and was the epitome of what a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend should be.

A longtime member of St. John the Evangelist Church, Lambertville, NJ, Theresa’s faith helped guide her through many difficult times in life and it is where she found her sense of hope, especially with the sudden passing of her cherished husband in 2003. Though sad, her family takes solace that Theresa has been reunited with Ludwig, and all those who have gone before, and know that they will see her one day again, when we are all reunited in that special place promised in John 14.

Surviving are her two sons and daughter-in-law, Ludwig Altvater, Jr. and Joseph and Nancy Altvater; her grandchildren and their spouses, Ludwig and Andrea Altvater III, Sarah Jane Altvater, Joseph Altvater, Jr., Benjamin and Sarah Altvater, Thomas and Allisen Altvater, and Gregory Altvater; her great grandchildren, Elizabeth, Joseph III, Sophia, Cole, Olivia, Thomas, Faith, John Henry, and David Altvater; several nieces nephews, cousins, and extended family; and many dear friends made throughout her journey of life.

Theresa will lie in repose on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ, with a vigil service taking place at 6:30 p.m. and to which all are welcome.