In loving memory of

Darrel Terpstra
March 5, 1933 - February 20, 2019

Homer Darrel Terpstra died on February 20, 2019. He was the youngest of Leslie Dow and Cecile Vivian (McConghey) Terpstra. He was born on March 5, 1933 at Skiff Hospital in Newton, IA. He attended country school and graduated from Newton High School in 1951. He attended Central College and entered the Army in 1953 and was discharged in 1955. He returned to College and Graduated in 1959. He is survived by his wife of 48 years Carolyn Terpstra and by six children Nancy (Dave) Long, Kimberling City, MO, Judy (Tony) Rivera, Camanche, IA, Julie (Al) DeYoung, Beecher, Il, Kathleen (Ron) Spengler, of Orlando Park, Il, Sally (Dan) DeGoey, Pleasant Hill, IA David (Vicki) Terpstra, Spring Green, WI ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He taught school for thirty-three years at various central Iowa schools retiring from Colfax-Mingo where he served as principal.

He was preceded in death by his parents and older brother William (Bill) and his sister Dolores Wilson, both in 2005.

Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at the Altoona United Methodist Church. The family will greet friends on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the church. Memorials may be directed to the family and will be decided on at a later date. Condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com

Tributes

Chris Behrens wrote on Mar 4, 2019:

"Am seeing this late, but saddened none the less. My sympathies to the Terpstra family. My parents, Ed and LaVonne Behrens had been friends of the Terpstras for over 55 years and started when my Dad was a teacher and coach in Marshall County. I remember their visits very well. When we moved to Colfax, it became easier to keep in touch and I know Darrel was always a valued family friend to my parents for many years. It was only fitting that Darrel was there for the Behrens family when we buried Mom and Dad in Colfax. Am sure they are catching up again on old times. Chris and Marla Behrens, NAS Patuxent River, MD and Fuquay-Varina, NC"

Nancy Olthoff wrote on Mar 2, 2019:

"I am deeply saddened by the news of Darrel?s passing. He was the best principal I ever had the privilege to teach with! He was supportive, kind, and wonderfully caring and involved with the students at Monroe Elementary. When I moved away and began teaching in another school district, I missed his gentle guidance. Thirty years later we moved back to the area and reconnected at church, where I enjoyed getting to know him not as a mentor but on a personal level. What a blessing! Craig and I send our sincere sympathies to Carolyn and the entire Terpstra family. I consider myself most fortunate to have had Darrel in my life as a coworker and a friend."

ira United Church, Ira, Iowa wrote on Mar 2, 2019:

"Our prayers and sympathies are extended to the family and friends of Darrel Terpstra."

Shawn Emmack wrote on Mar 1, 2019:

"What a Great Man! Mr. Terpstra took a shy, mad kid under his wing as I got away from a horrible situation and moved to Monroe. He was a great comfort to me during 5th grade year where he taught me Reading one on one his office. Those sessions were part Counseling and part Reading work. He lended that male ear that I desperately needed during a nasty 3 year custody battle that brought me to Monroe. He cared when he didnt need to. Later he and Coach Thomason guided us in junior high football. To Sally DeGoey and all the Terpstra?s- your Dad was truly a special man to me and I?m extremely sorry for your loss!"

Dawn Dee wrote on Feb 26, 2019:

"What a great man he treated my daughter like his own he will be missed prayers for his family dawn dee"

Kelsie Brown wrote on Feb 25, 2019:

"As a Principle, he was fair and firm. As a friend, warm and kind. A good man. My parents, Paula and Roger, always enjoyed time with the Terpstra's and spoke fondly of their friendship. "

Sandy Murphy wrote on Feb 23, 2019:

"So sorry for your loss Darryl was a great principle he will missed prayers to his family "

Nancy Wright wrote on Feb 23, 2019:

"Darrel was just a wonderful principal to teach with! He was always so supportive and it was so apparent how much he truly cared for both his students and his staff! Rarely did you ever see him or talk to him that he didn?t give you a big, warm smile and a word of encouragement. My deepest sympathy to Carolyn and to all of Darell?s family."

Denise White-Staecker wrote on Feb 22, 2019:

"Mr. Terpstra was my elementary principal at Monroe. His kind and caring nature made every child feel special. He made being at school fun! Mr. T was simply THE best. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family. "

Leslie Thomason-Bruinekool wrote on Feb 22, 2019:

"No matter how many years past, we remember special and nice people. Been so long I had to think about it. But yes, special. Tell Ron Thomason to send us a sign, and Mr. Terpstra too.. "

Angela (Baldwin) Clark wrote on Feb 22, 2019:

"Mr T was my middle school principal and math treacher and he was a substitute for many classes as well after his retirement. He always had a positive up-beat personality. Every day would be greeted with, Hey Angie and a high five to boot. This world lost a good man."

Steve Conley wrote on Feb 22, 2019:

"Without a doubt one of the great ones. He started our 6th grade year as our teacher, and by the end of the year he was our principal. His leadership in the classroom transferred seemingly effortlessly with the role transition. I have no doubt we?ll see multiple posts about how me made us all feel special. Imagine the capacity for care it takes for that many people to feel that from a single man. I can?t even remember how many years after I?d graduated I?d still get birthday cards from him, and so long after school, he still made me smile. I?ll miss catching up with him dearly. Thoughts are truly with his family, we?re all undoubtedly better people for having had him in our lives. Rest In Peace Mr T."

Roger Nimmo wrote on Feb 22, 2019:

"My mother Mrs Nimmo was Mr Terpstra?s secretary when he was the building principal at Monroe. She often talked about how kind and nice he was to her. When I would see him on a return trip to Monroe he was just as kind and nice to me as he was to my mother. That is how I will remember Mr Terpstra. I have a feeling he left the same impression on many teachers, students, parents and support staff. Thank you for a job well done. "

Becky Bennett-Ver Heul wrote on Feb 22, 2019:

"Mr. Terpstra was my elementary principal when I was in K-2 and I just remember thinking he was the best! Now I teach in the same building he and his wife had an impact on my early years. Bless him and his family."

Dan House wrote on Feb 22, 2019:

"Mr. T was my 6th grade homeroom/ social study teacher and then my principal 7th and 8th grade. He was a great teacher and principal. We could talk to him about anything. He always had an answer to any question he was asked. He made middle school a lot fun. RIP Mr. T. "

Hazel wrote on Feb 22, 2019:

"I have thought back many times over the years about my home room teacher in the sixth grade with many fond memories. Ranging from him greeting me as I got off the bus by my name and giving me encouraging little pep talks when I was feeling down. But I think my favorite memory was when Julius Caesar came to my history class. He was an amazing man and even more amazing teacher who brought so much to so many people life. And he will be greatly missed. "

jane Goff Berry (Rankin) wrote on Feb 22, 2019:

"My sympathy and condolences the family. He was my neighbor in Monroe."

Carrie Naisbitt Conley wrote on Feb 22, 2019:

"Mr. T was one of the best mentors we had in Mingo the Colfax-Mingo. He always had a smile on his face and a huge hello as we walked the hallways to class. He would help a student in anyway he could. He will be greatly missed. "

Tennille wrote on Feb 22, 2019:

"I've thought about this man multiple times throughout the years. I actually wish I would have known how to contact him after moving away to let him know about the impact he had on my life. He was my middle school principal (and I know many others). He wasn't in it just for the job -- he made each student feel valued EVERY day. As soon as we got off the bus he was there greeting us by name. He always called me "the girl with the pretty smile". Its funny that I still remember that over 25 years later. There was a situation that happened that a boy was giving me issues. When I told him, I instantly sensed his protection over me -- telling me 'dont worry about a thing, he will not bother you again'...and he didn't. I think of the quote "People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel." - I even remember what he said and did, but the biggest thing was how he made me feel. I always felt special. I felt valued. Im so thankful that he was that pillar when I was in middle school going through some pretty rough stuff. To his family -- Im sorry you've lost this amazing man. Thank you for allowing me to share his impact on my life. "

Bob klein wrote on Feb 22, 2019:

"Bob Klein send condolences to Carolyn and other members of Darrell?s family. I had the pleasure of knowing Darrell while attending Central College. We had some great times. He was one of our trainers for our football team. We also enjoyed social times with the group. Carolyn, I assume remembers me from Monroe HS. Bob and Roberta Klein"

Skylar Rawlins wrote on Feb 22, 2019:

"Mr T was my 1st home room teacher in 6th grade after Colfax and Mingo merged. I have a lot of great memories of him. He was a great teacher and an even better role model. I got a chance to catch up with him quite a few years later when he was working a funeral service. He hadn't changed a bit. He will always be a great man and will be missed by everyone who knew him. Sorry for the family's loss."

Missy Smith wrote on Feb 22, 2019:

"How many people can look back at their middle school years and have fond memories of their principal? I can. Mr. Terpstra was a wonderful man. He always greeted me by name and with a smile and he always had time for small talk. You knew by how he treated each of us; he wasn't their just for the job but he really cared for his students. I remember running into him after I graduated, he still knew my name and had time to chat and catch up. I am so sorry to hear of his passing."

Suzanne Johnson wrote on Feb 22, 2019:

"I am so sorry to hear this. Bob and I worked with Darrel for many years. Darrel was a kind individual and had a great sense of humor. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Our prayers and thoughts will be with you, your family and friends. Sincere condolences and thoughts go out to you, Carolyn. Fondly, Bob and Suzanne Johnson"