Georgetta D. Terpstra

Georgetta Terpstra was an amazingly strong, outgoing woman with an intense love for life. Whether she was working, raising her children or spoiling her grandchildren, Georgetta put her heart into all that she did.

Georgetta was born on May 18, 1924, in Ellsworth, Michigan, to Thomas and Lottie Thorpe. She was the second youngest of their seven children. With a lively and carefree spirit, Georgetta approached life as the ultimate adventure. In her early adulthood, she did a lot of traveling throughout the United States by train; she never flew. Then in 1950, she fell in love with Harold Terpstra and just a few weeks after meeting, they were married in Toledo, Ohio, where her grandmother had been married. They were the proud parents of four daughters, and in later years, Georgetta was blessed with ten grandchildren, whom she dearly loved. Her grandchildren could always rely on her for good advise, a listening ear and her unconditional support.

Georgetta was a people person in the truest sense of the word and she never failed to leave her mark on the hearts of those who came to know her. Through the years, Georgetta worked at Red Lion Restaurant, Frank Farrell's Restaurant and Sveden House Restaurant, as well as at Yankee's department store. Wherever she worked, Georgetta was like one of the family and she stayed in touch with her employers for many years. After she retired, Georgetta began volunteering with the Wyoming Police Department; she really enjoyed this job.

Above all else, Georgetta loved her family. She cared for them in good and bad times, and always put their needs above all else. Although she was frugal in things for herself, she was generous to a fault when it came to her family. Georgetta didn't much like receiving gifts and she was famous for saying "You shouldn't have." Her home was open to anyone at anytime, though she preferred you call first so she could make a dessert quick. Georgetta liked maple fudge by Fannie Mae, Detroit Tigers baseball, bowling, learning about history and visiting casinos. She was a good storyteller and a lot of fun to be around.

Georgetta D. Terpstra, age 81, passed away on January 9, 2006. She is preceded in death by her husband, Harold, and parents, Thomas and Lottie Thorpe. Georgetta is survived by her children: Deloris (Scott) Simandl, Donna Devries, Denise Bruns, and Debra (Doug) Dickerson; grandchildren: Tonya (Paul) Elias, Chad (Sharon) Reynolds, Robert Maddix, Milissa (Herm) Patow, Eric Taylor, LaRae, Josia, Oliver, Alida Bruns and Sabrina Dickerson; siblings, Eugene Thorpe and Vergaline Pachica; special friends, Linda & Doug Bates and John Reynolds; great grandchildren: Sydney, Brookelyn, Breana, Devan, Allisandra and Duncan; along with several nieces and nephews. A memorial to honor Georgetta's life will be Monday, January 16, at 11 a.m. in the 180 Room at Resurrection Life Church, 5100 Ivanrest SW. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or make a memorial contribution to Lacks Cancer Center.