Terry Sue Wisgerhof attended William Woods College in Fulton, MO, and Drake University in Des Moines and earned her BA degree in elementary education. She taught kindergarten in the Bloomington, MN, public schools prior to her marriage to John Jennings in 1974. They moved to Downers Grove, IL, where she taught kindergarten in a parochial school until she became too ill to continue. She had hoped to see her children Kelly and Timothy graduate from high school but succumbed to cancer March 19, 1994. Kelly graduated from St. Mary's in South Bend, Indiana, in elementary education and Tim graduated from Purdue University in mechanical engineering. Terry was an accomplished pianist throughout her life.

"Terry was a beloved aunt to my children. Prior to her marriage, during the years she lived in Bloomington, she would have my children over 'lots' where she would spoil them with steak fondue parties and many of her other cooking specialties. Getting to cook their own fondue dinner was by far their favorite thing to do together.

While Terry fought hard to see both her children graduate, she did not accomplish that while here on Earth but was probably playing the piano in Heaven as they both graduated from college. She would have been so proud---both married their college sweethearts."

Judy Lerdal Somers, sister (CLHS 1956)

"Terry Sue was a lively addition to our family, to say the least, when her father (Guy) married my Grandma Hazel! Being just five years apart in age, I tagged along with her on many occasions and got quite the education. I loved being able to go out in the Terry Sue (speed boat) with Terry and friends. For many years we took piano lessons at Swingen Studios in Mason City once a week after school. Peta, Lark, Julie and others were often along for the ride.and what a ride it was! I can remember one New Year's Eve staying up and spying from Grandma's kitchen on the college kids' party going on next door at the Roseland house. It seems I got frequent admonitions over the years, 'Denise, keep your mouth shut. You never saw this.' Some of my favorite family memories involve Terry playing the piano and Grandma, Mom, Judy, Javotte (and any of the rest of us who wanted to join in) singing along. She was a wonderful aunt and I always think of her on sunny days at the lake."

Denise Huey Clipperton, niece (CLHS 1967) dndclip@forbin.net

"Terry and I were good friends when we were young as we lived just a few blocks away from each other and would play games, hang out by the lake, the Corner Drug, etc. I remember they had cases of soda pop in the basement of their house and, this may sound strange, but we would take a hammer and nail and pound nails into the lids for a hole to drink the soda out of. (I don't know why we didn't just use an opener!) We spent hours playing board games and talking "girl talk." In later years, we matured at different rates and had different interests and we were not as close, but I always had the highest admiration for Terry and a lot of fond memories. She was an amazing person."

Kay Minkner CLHS 1962

From Diane (Hintzman) Guinn, family friend (Class of 56)

I had the great privilege of remembering the birth of Terry Sue. She was a late in life baby, in those days. Her parents, Verlee and Guy, were so wanting a child, and Terry was the "light of their lives". She was a darling baby with bright red hair like her mother.

My parents were best friends with hers, and we spent many good times in their home. She was so young (10 years old) when her mother died suddenly from a brain aneurysm. When I heard the news, I was walking to the Corner Drug with my friends to have our usual coke and candy bar. I was devastated, but it didn't even compare with the sadness both my parents experienced over her death.

We couldn't even imagine how Guy, who was in partner with his brother-in-law, owning the Corner Drug, would manage to raise this beautiful little child alone. But along came Hazel ! She and Guy were married and Terry Sue immediately gained 3 loving sisters and an equally loving Mother who nurtured her through childhood into a lovely young woman.

Although the transition of accepting Hazel as Guy's wife was very hard on my parents, they soon realized that Terry Sue needed guidance and love, and Hazel was the gal for the job. The four of them became "best friends".

We were all saddened once again, that Terry Sue had to endure the pain and suffering of cancer, but we were so proud of her.

She handled it like a trooper, was an excellent teacher and Mother to her children. She really deserved more time on this earth.