Obituary
Dennis Mathew Terpstra
Dennis Mathew Terpstra, 70, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, passed away in his home on September 5, 2024, due to natural causes. He was born on December 3, 1953, to August and Lucille (Rockweiler) Terpstra. He married the love of his life, Kristine ‘Kris’ (Potter) Terpstra, on September 20, 1980.
Dennis worked for “Mother’’ Trane Company for 42 years, retiring in 2014. Dennis’s favorite pastime was keeping up with his sports teams, cheering on the Packers, Brewers, Bucks, and Badgers. You could always find him reading the newspaper or telling stories about cattle or deer. He enjoyed gardening, spending countless hours tending to his vegetables and teaching his children the value of growing their own.
He adored his 9 grandchildren and took great pride in helping out with them. He loved his childhood farm, seizing every opportunity to involve himself in any aspect, whether that be the cattle, helping with chores, gardening, catching up with his brother, or telling his family stories.
In his younger years, he loved bowling with Kris and hunting with his family. Dennis was an avid card player. He taught all his children how to play Euchre, playing any chance he could. He was very passionate about his lawn spending countless hours ensuring it was pristine. He instilled the value of hard work and dedication in his daughters and son. He taught and aided them in showing cows at the fair, training the cattle, and raising their own herds.
He is survived by his daughters, Catherine (Christopher) Hartley, Melissa (Jesse) Terpstra, and Cassandra (Mitchell) Meffert, his son, Matthew Terpstra, and his son-in-law, Terry Goyette. His grandchildren, Remington, Easton, and Kaileigh Goyette, Aleksander and Jackson Terpstra, and Elliot, Anastasia, Olive and Isabel Meffert, his sisters, Ann (Jon) Prell and Carol Jambois, and brothers Christopher Terpstra and Richard Terpstra. Many family and friends, all too many to list.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Kristine (Potter) Terpstra, his parents August and Lucille (Rockweiler) Terpstra, his daughter, Ashley Goyette, his siblings Gary, Julie and Thomas, and his cousin, Bruce Perschbacher.
A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 10:00 am at Mary Mother of the Church in La Crosse. Father Brian Konopa will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the mass at the church. Burial to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
To my nieces and nephew and the family of Dennis.
I’m saddened to hear of Dennis’ passing. He was a good brother-in-law and will be missed. I remember golfing with Dennis when I would come to LaCrosse to visit him and Kristine. Also going out for fish on Friday evenings. I know that he will be with Kristine in eternal life. May God be with you as you mourn his passing and guide you as you remember him and Kristine in the days ahead.
So sorry for your loss. I worked w Kris at Trane.
I worked with Dennis at The Trane Co.
When you ever needed at part recut/fixed/ whatever, Dennis was the one you took it too…He sure made my life so much easier…Always a smile on his face..Sorry for your loss!!
Our deepest sympathy to the whole family. So many fond memories with your family. Wayne Solberg and family.