Judy Ann Terhaar

Our beloved Judy Terhaar, age 67 of Foreston, passed away peacefully, just as she lived her life, on February 1, 2013 after a courageous 6 year battle with breast cancer. She was surrounded by many loved ones who helped her journey home. A celebration of her life will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Milaca on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Jim Remmerswaal officiating. A visitation will be held Tuesday 4:00-8:00 pm and one hour prior to the service, both at the church. Judith Ann (Scholl) Terhaar was born March 10, 1945 in Dinsdale, Iowa, the oldest of 12 children born to Truman and Caroline (Becker) Scholl. Her family lived in Osseo, Minnesota for nine years and then moved to Buckman where she graduated from Father Pierz Memorial HS in 1963 and St. Gabriel’s School of Nursing, Little Falls, in 1966. Judy met the love of her life, Henry (Hank) Terhaar, at the age of 14 and after a colorful courtship they were married on October 15, 1966 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Buckman. Hank and Judy spent the first of their 46 year marriage in Anchorage, Alaska at Elmendorf Air Force base. They returned to Minnesota in the fall of 1967 with their six-week-old first-born child and all their belongings via the treacherous Al-Can Highway and subsequently lived in Minneapolis, Rogers, and Champlin. In 1975 they moved with their three children to their current home on a farm near Foreston. Judy worked as an RN for 40+ years, beginning in a number of hospitals in the Anchorage and Minneapolis areas until 1978. She then worked for Mille Lacs County Public Health, followed by a rewarding career in long term care. The last 21 years were spent working for Elim Care, Inc. in Princeton and Milaca as Director of Nursing, Assistant Director, Advisory Board member and continuing to serve as a volunteer during her battle with cancer. She was known for her professional, grace-filled, diligent and caring work style; coming to love and remain friends with many of her co-workers and people whose lives she touched. Masterfully sewing purses, dresses, and pajamas for loved ones in the past few years, she renewed her lifelong love of sewing. Hank remembers fondly how she sewed her beautiful wedding dress. She also recently enjoyed hunting deer and wild turkey; her sharp-shooting skills, perhaps honed by threading needles, are now legendary. Thrilled at every chance to play Trivial Pursuit with her family, Judy could be counted on to answer the most difficult literature and entertainment questions. She made a special point to always send a birthday card to everyone in her family and taught us all much about reaching out to others in need. She touched hundreds through her battle with cancer by writing on her CaringBridge site, and was a devoted friend to many. By the calm manner in which she lived her life and shared her steadfast faith, Judy will forever be an example to those who knew her. Judy was a loving mother to three children, Michelle (Kris) Shefveland of Sauk Rapids, Scott (Lisa) of Brooklyn Center, and Todd (Susie) of Sacred Heart. She absolutely cherished being a grandmother and spending time with her 11 beautiful grandchildren: Alyssa, Rachel, Philip, Emma, Adam, Maddie, Lauren, Payne, Grace, Bryan, and Sara Beth. Judy is survived by her devoted husband, children, grandchildren, sisters Arlene (Jim) Spiczka, Janel (Harry) Jansen, Mary (Don) Tschida, Donna, Karla (Galen) Stumpf, Jackie (Kevin) Scholl-Johnson, brothers Dale (Patty), Jim (Linda), Bill (Barb), Dennis (Geri), Danny (Cindy), and many in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, niece Amy Jansen, and many aunts and uncles. The family especially thanks Coborn Cancer Center, St. Cloud Hospital, Dr. Hauge, Dr. Kaplan, Dr. Leavell, Dr. Kuhl, Dr. Currier, Dr. Chawla and all of their nursing staff for their expert care of Mom, and Dawn, Bonnie, Dana, Tammy and Nicole of Hospice for aiding us in her final weeks. For all of the spiritual care we have received from Fr. Jim, Fr. Matt, Fr. Tony, Pastor Tom, Barb, Jim, and Michelle…thank you. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers.