Terry Weringa

Terry Weringa, age 73 of Elmore passed away Sunday October 3, 2021 at his home. Funeral services will be 11AM Friday October 8 at Shiloh Lutheran Church in Elmore with Rev. Robert Roettger officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7PM Thursday October 7 at Patton Funeral Home in Blue Earth. Burial with military honors will be at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Lakota.

Terry Lynn Weringa was born August 11, 1948 in Buffalo Center, Iowa. He was the son of Albert and Avis Weringa. Growing up, his favorite school memories were while attending school in Lakota. Terry was an awesome baseball pitcher in school, throwing perfect fast balls. Terry graduated from Elmore High School and after high school he attended the National School of Meat Cutting in Toledo, Ohio. He was then drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War and served as a Military Police Officer.

Upon returning from the Army, he came home to the love of his life, Linda Lou. On September 12, 1970 they were married at the Nazareth Lutheran Church in Armstrong, Iowa.  From this union they were blessed with two boys, Bryan and Brent Weringa. Terry adored his sons, they were his pride and joy.

Terry was completely dedicated to his entire family and to his community throughout his life. Terry owned and operated the Elmore Grocery Store for 40 years. He was known for the “best meat cuts around.” Terry loved all of his employees and his customers and they all loved him back. He then “retired” but everyone knows for Terry that meant still working hard and keeping busy. Up until recently, he worked cutting meat for The Main Street Market in Buffalo Center. He enjoyed every minute of working with his market family. In his free time, Terry enjoyed family fishing trips to Leech Lake, snowmobiling, hunting, cheering for the Minnesota Vikings and of course driving his red Camaro with his wife Linda. Terry also loved spending time with his grandchildren. His grandkids were some of the greatest blessings in his life. Terry loved his children and grandchildren with a passion and family meant everything to him and the feelings were mutual – Terry meant everything to both of his sons, to his two daughter-in-law’s and to all of his grandchildren. He was the rock and strength of our family and we will forever miss him.

On Sunday, October 3, 2021, after a courageous, hard fought battle with colon cancer, Terry passed away at his home surrounded by the overflowing love of his family.

Those left to carry on his love and cherish his memory are his wife of 51 years, Linda (Johnson) Weringa of Elmore; son Bryan (Sara) Weringa of Ankeny, IA and son Brent (Lynn) Weringa of Spirit Lake, IA.

Nine grandchildren: Ashley Beisch (Adam and Haiden Huffman) of Boone, IA; Anthony Weringa, Joe Weringa, Annaliese Weringa, Brandon Bethards, Jerod Bethards, Noah Bethards all of Ankeny, IA; Ashley Weringa of Spirit Lake, IA and Aaron Weringa at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa; seven brothers and sisters: Cinda (Arnie) Ristau, Tom (Dawn) Weringa, Steve Weringa, Scot Weringa, Carla Prokop all of Elmore, MN, Brad Weringa of Owatonna, MN, Eric (Michelle) Weringa of Winnebago, MN,  sister in law Marleen (Jim) Libra of Fairmont, MN, and many nieces and nephews who loved their Uncle “Buckwheat” Terry.

Terry was proceeded in death by his parents, Albert and Avis; in-laws Vernon and Frieda Johnson, infant brother Charles Weringa, brother in law Harold Prokop, grandson Sean Beisch, nephew David Weringa, and niece Kimberly Hagedorn.