Shirley Marguerite Terhaar

Shirley Marguerite (Erickson) Terhaar went to be with the Lord on July 24th, 2024 at her home in West Des Moines, Iowa with her family by her side.

She was born April 8th, 1930 on the family farm in Maryfield, Saskatchewan, Canada. She was the daughter of Lenora Olson Erickson and Lewis Edmond Erickson. She attended high school in Caronport and Maryfield, Sask. She moved to Minneapolis in 1950 and attended Northwestern Bible College. From 1953-1956 she and her sisters, Arlene and Phyllis traveled to churches and sang as the Erickson Trio spreading the good news of Jesus with their beautiful voices.

She attended nursing school at Miller Hospital in St. Paul and graduated in 1959. She worked in obstetrics, general surgery and ophthalmology. She married Bernie Terhaar in Maryfield on June 4th, 1960 and they had two children, Brett and Amy. She loved being a mother and a grandmother and always encouraged her children and grandchildren to follow Christ and work hard as though working for the Lord. Bernie and Shirley lived in Rogers, MN for 46 years before moving to West Des Moines, Iowa in 2019 to be close to family.

Bernie and Shirley shared a strong faith in Christ and attended Elim Baptist in Anoka, MN, Joy Free Church in Rogers, MN, Nowthen Alliance Church, Nowthen, MN and Crystal Free Church in New Hope, MN. She was active in choir, women's Bible studies and special events. She loved to tell others about Jesus and was never shy about her faith. Shirley's family and friends loved her sharp sense of humor, her kindness and ability to talk to anyone.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 64 years, Bernie H. Terhaar; as well as her sister, Phyllis Gehring of Minnesota; her children, Brett & wife, Rachael of Winterset, Iowa and Amy & husband, Kevin of Ames, Iowa; her grandchildren, Jessalynn, Jed and Claire; her great-granddaughter, Tacy; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Lowell Erickson of British Columbia; and her sister, Arlene Mitchell of Florida.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, August 3, 2024 at the New Bridge Church in Winterset. Family will be present to greet friends prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 AM. Burial will in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Sedan Minnesota at a later date.

Special thanks to the St. Croix Hospice and Caring Hearts Home Care. Memorials may be made to the family for a future designation.

"So we are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away." 2 Corinthians 5:6-9