Donald "Don" Robert Terry

We are sure that heaven is a much livelier place with the arrival of Donald Robert Terry of Cedar Falls, IA, on Thursday, February 13, 2025. His big smile and laughter brought happiness to his family and the third floor of the Deery Suites at Western Home Communities in Cedar Falls the last years of his life.

Don will be remembered for his deep love of family and friends, his giant bear hugs, and quick wit. He was the family caretaker, but always ready to go on a wild adventure, prepare a ham dinner, or share a funny story. Don was known for loving all family celebrations, remembered for putting firecrackers in birthday cakes, yelling Happy Birthday America every 4th of July, and having the loudest BINGO call at the Terry Family Christmas.

Don's love of travel started as a child on annual family fishing trips to Canada and spending time at the family cabin in Guttenberg, IA. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, and playing Black Jack. During his insurance career, Don earned incentive trips to world-wide destinations and he passed his love to travel on by taking each grandchild on a memorable trip when they turned 10.

Donald Terry was born February 7, 1948 in Independence, Iowa to Wilbert "Bill" Lee Terry and Edna Lucille (Parrish) Terry.  Don was a proud Independence High School graduate (Class of 1967), earned his Kirkwood Community College Diploma (1968), and a Bachelor of Arts in Business from University of Northern Iowa (1973).

Don started working in the family-owned Bill and Don's Phillips 66 station in Independence, IA before becoming an Independent Life Insurance Agent and then founding partner of Life of Iowa, Inc. in Oelwein, IA. He was an agent for United Life Insurance Company, Equitable Life Insurance Company, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Don was married to Sue Anne Potts from 1970-1984 in Independence, IA and they had one daughter, Jennifer Anne Terry. Don then married Mary Kaye (Reinberger) Paulson in 1987 at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Waterloo adding Mary's children Dawn Tweed, Jeff Paulson, and Ryan Paulson to his family. On June 6, 2024, Don and Mary celebrated 37 years of marriage.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John A. Terry; sister and brother-in-law, JoAnn Terry Eschen and Otto "Junior" Eschen, all of Independence, IA; and sister, Mary L. Terry Frasher of Robins, IA. Don is survived by his wife, Mary Terry of Cedar Falls, IA; and children, Jennifer (Kent) Terry Boyenga of Ottumwa, IA,  Dawn (Paul) Tweed of Fall Creek, WI, Jeff (Chris) Paulson of Cedar Falls, IA, and Ryan (Kerri) Paulson of Sherrill, IA; brother-in-law, Vernon Frasher of Robins, IA; 10 grandchildren, Mikayla (Matthew) Dunn of Tampa, FL, Ian (Alex Young) Terry Boyenga of St. Charles, MO., Sam Tweed of Eau Claire, WI, Ben (Jacky) Tweed of Hayward, WI, Luke Tweed, Eau Claire, WI, Will (Kate Thompson) Tweed of Woodbury, MN, Andrew Paulson of Mason City, IA, Cody Paulson of Iowa City, IA, Jake Paulson of Cedar Falls, IA, and Avery Paulson of Sherrill, IA; 3 great-grandchildren, Evalyn, Theodore, and Louella Tweed of Hayward, WI; and 7 "Terry" nieces and nephews, all who loved him dearly.

Family and Friends visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, February 19 at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home in Cedar Falls. The Celebration of Life will be Thursday, February 20 at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation time one hour prior at Diamond Event Center at Western Home Communities. Interment will be at a later date at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence, IA. Memorials may be directed to Fresh Wind Ministry , Alzheimer's Association , or the University of Northern Iowa Foundation . Please visit www.dahlfuneralhome.com to share condolences.