Frances Terpstra

Sibley, IA

     Frances Terpstra age 96 of Sibley, IA died Monday, September 24, 2018 at Osceola Community Hospital in Sibley, IA.

     Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 29, 2018 at Jurrens Funeral Home in Sibley, IA with Andy Kuehn and Cheston Stidolph, officiating. Burial will be private with family prior to the service at the Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley, IA.

     Visitation will be Friday, September 28th from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley.

     Frances (Van Geest) Terpstra was born November 7, 1921, on the family farm in Sioux County, Iowa, the daughter of John “Poppy” and Anna (Bloem) Van Geest.  Frances attended country school through the 8^th grade, at which time she helped her parents on the family farm. 

     On December 19, 1941, she was united in marriage to Simon Terpstra in Rockport, MO.  The couple moved to the Ashton and Sibley area and farmed there for many years.   In the 70’s Fran returned to school, a life long dream of hers.  She attended NW Iowa Technical School in Sheldon, where she was able to get her GED by attending night classes.  She then took a clerical course, from which she graduated.  In 1972, she got a job as a receptionist for Dr. Thomas in Sibley.  It was a job she loved and had many fond memories of.  She continued to work for Dr. Thomas until 1983, when he retired, and she retired as well.

    During this time, they built their first home in Ashton, Iowa. They remained in that home until 1981, when they built another new home in Ashton, before moving to Sibley in 1996, and would call this home their permanent home. 

     When Simon entered Country View Manor in 2006, Fran visited nearly every day, for almost 4 years, until his passing in February 2010. 

     Fran enjoyed her time reading, doing daily crossword puzzles and loved the computer and internet.  She enjoyed the time spent with her family and friends.  Due to her failing eye sight, Fran became a resident of Country View Manor in September 2016.  She quickly adapted to her new home and touched the hearts of all that cared for her.

     She is survived by two children, Sharon (Lew) Bergh of Worthington, MN, and Jim (Patty) Terpstra of Sibley, IA; son-in-law, Duane (Verla) Bergh of Havana, ND; grandchildren, Paula (Dan) Timmersman, Thane (Janelle) Bergh, Jeremy (Sara) Bergh, Pamela (Mark) Overby, Carmen (Patrick) Mazza, Dallas (Chelsey) Bergh, Erin (Arron) Hawkes, Josh (Ashlee) Terpstra, and Monica Bergh; 17 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews.   

     She was preceded in death by her spouse of 68 years; her parents; one daughter; Shirley Bergh; grandson, Todd Bergh; and brother, Donald Van Geest.

                                                                                                                                                                 Blessed be her memory.