Terpstra, William D. (1923-2005)

TERPSTRA, DOW, MCCONEGHEY

Posted By: John Schulte (email)
Date: 5/12/2005 at 12:50:46

Funeral services for William D. Terpstra, 82, were conducted May 9, at the Exira Christian Church in Exira, with Pastor Robert Hennick officiating. Interment was in the Exira Cemetery. Honorary casket bearers were the Exira Lions Club. Casket bearers were: Ronald Graham, Ronald Wahlert, Dean Bauer, James Wolf, Dale Huegerich, Richard Griffin, Paul Hess and Veral Sorensen.

William Dow Terpstra, the son of Leslie Dow and Cecile McConeghey Terpstra, was born, Feb. 28, 1923, at his parents’ home east of Reasnor, and died May 5, 2005, at the Exira Care Center in Exira.

Bill was baptized at Galesburg Methodist Church and confirmed at Pleasant View Methodist Church near Kellogg. He attended rural schools in Jasper County, then graduated from the Newton High School with the Class of 1940. Bill attended Iowa State University for a short time then farmed for almost five years, before returning to Iowa State University.

On May 7, 1950, he was united in marriage to Clarissa Wahlert at the Exira Christian Church in Exira. They lived in several locations in Iowa. Bill was employed at an alfalfa dehydration plant for several years, then was a lineman for Iowa Power Company near Grinnell. Later Bill was a County Farm Bureau Fieldman. In 1965, they moved to York, NE, where Bill worked for Farmland Industries until he was transferred to Ogallala, NE in 1979. In 1981, they moved to Belgrade, MT, where he was employed at several local co-ops, until he retired in 1989. Bill was employed part-time, then moved to Exira in 1997.

Bill was a member of the Exira Christian Church. He was a member of the Exira Lions Club and served as the District Governor. He was a high school Sunday school teacher. He helped maintain the Exira Cemetery.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his parents-in-law, Herbert, Sr. and Claudine Wahlert; and sister, Dolores Wilson.

Bill is survived by his wife, Clarissa Terpstra of Exira; his children: Tom and wife, Ilene Terpstra of Chicago, IL; Dan and wife, Patsy Terpstra; Patty and husband, Don Jordan; Mike Terpstra and friend, Phuong; Sue and husband, Troy Henry, all of Lincoln, NE; brother, Darrel and wife, Carolyn Terpstra of Altoona; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Avery Wilson of Newton; Kay and Sam Stehle of Longmont, CO; and Herbert Wahlert, Jr. of Exira, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.