Terry Voss

Terry Jo Voss, 63, Dent, MN, passed away peacefully April 30, 2016 at Ecumen-Emmanuel Nursing Home after a courageous fight with Alzheimer's. A Celebration of Terry's Life is planned for Wednesday, May 4 at 2PM in David Donehower Funeral Home, Detroit Lakes. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services on Wednesday. Much like a small spark can ignite a blazing fire, Terry was a shining beacon of optimism and soulful energy to those that knew her. She began to grace our presence on October 24th, 1952, the daughter of Floyd and Margaret (Herberholtz) Schorsch. In early pictures of her as a child, you can see that same spark that she carried with her throughout life. As a student of a one room schoolhouse in Havelock, ND, you can bet your bottom dollar she kept the teacher on her toes 24/7. Growing up on a farm south of Dickinson, ND she loved the outdoors and was "green" way before it was trendy to be. Hard work was never a stranger to life on the farm, and playing in the Cannonball River with her siblings Pam and Kerry, provided refuge from the long hot days of summer. High school began in New England, ND by the farm, and her father's career change brought them to McVille, ND where she graduated in 1970. A spirit like Terry's doesn't lie still for long and the adventurous, water-loving young lady was proudly serving in the US Navy within a year. During her enlistment she saw service on both the east and west coasts, in addition to Pearl Harbor, where she became the first female sailor to captain the Naval ferry that services the USS Arizona memorial. Her time on the west coast brought her to sunny San Francisco, CA. And guess where this trailblazing free soul decided to call home? Why the "Haight-Ashbury" district that served as the epicenter of the hippie counter-culture movement, of course! But true to her nature, even the sun soaked beaches and balmy weather couldn't hold Terry down in one place. Her yearning to be outside with nature guided her to Missoula, MT where she thoroughly enjoyed everything the area had to offer. From skiing to white water rafting, you can bet she did it all with a big smile on her face. Next on the stop: Dallas, TX was lucky enough to have her as a resident for some time and after a few very hot, very humid summers, an opportunity presented itself to come back home. Terry courageously packed her bags again and made the journey back north in 1984 to Bismarck, ND, where she picked up a new talent of golfing, and frequently played rounds with one of her best friends, Wendy. And then it happened, a couple years later she met the love of her life, and love was the one force that moved Terry to say "anchors away!" if you will. Rich and Terry met working at North American Coal and sparks flew, luckily not igniting anything but unconditional love for each other. Frequently, they went on golfing dates and Rich had to always stay on his A-game, as Terry would occasionally beat him in a round. And it just so happens that they both shared October 24th as their birthdays (and let me tell you, THAT was a party)! They tied the knot in 1987, and Terry gained a husband and two very rambunctious boys that were so happy to be a part of her life. As the years went by, Bryan and Kevin grew so fond of her, and she became a second mother to them, and they became her sons. To this day, the boys exhibit attributes that only a person like Terry could pass on. After working 2-3 jobs to help support Rich start his consulting company, she finished her lifelong goal of completing college. In 1996, Terry graduated summa cum laude (with honors) from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. From 1996 to 2001, if you were a very lucky student, Terry was one of the favorite teachers at Century High School and frequently won accolades from her students. In 1999, the family cabin on West McDonald Lake was purchased, and Terry's love of the outdoors continued. Swimming, basking in the sun, pontoon rides, fishing, in fact, anything that had to do with water, she treasured and enjoyed every moment. After turning the summer cabin into a year-round home, Terry made many friends at the lake and organized the entire lake's community picnic for three years. She enjoyed walks with her friends and her little dog Daisy, and many laughs were had by her and another close friend, Cindy, during one of their many dog walks. They ate out often at one of their favorite establishments, the Cactus, where Terry met another brave and fearless woman like herself, Christine, and the two bonded instantly. She cherished bicycle rides with Rich, and relaxing after a long day taking in the beautiful sunsets. During her last voyage, where she fought courageously and fearlessly against Alzheimer's, the smile never left her face and could still light up the room. The twinkle in her eye never faded. Her positive outlook and intrepid soul never gave up, and never gave in. Terry is survived by her husband, Rich Voss of Dent, MN, step-sons: Bryan (Beth) Voss of Rockford, MN, and Kevin (Lauren Hoard) Voss of Boise, ID. She is also survived by her mother: Margaret Schorsch of Bismarck, ND, one sister: Pam (Neil) Kostelecky of Bismarck, ND, one brother: Kerry (Marian) Schorsch of New England, ND, and mother-in-law and father-in-law: Bob (Rosemary) Voss of Fargo. She is preceded in death by her father, Floyd Schorsch. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to Ecumen-Emmanuel Nursing Home-Memory Care Unit and the Adult Daycare Services.

Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501

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Previous Events

Visitation
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Service
Wednesday, May 4, 2016

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