Terry Elder Obituary

Terry Elder, 73, of Swisher passed away on Friday January 10, 2025, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. A Celebration of Life gathering will be planned for a later date. Terry was born on April 22, 1951, in Washington, Iowa, the son of John and Fay (Schoonover) Elder. He graduated from City High in Iowa City, Class of 1970. He was united in marriage to Kathi Weidlein on July 14, 1973. Terry worked for a number of years for Vitosh Standard and later Dunlap Motors/McEleney Motors in Iowa City and and later owned and operated Park Town Amoco in Cedar Rapids, Blairs Ferry Outdoors in Hiawatha and later Scott Six Storage in Iowa City. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Kathi and their two sons Chad (Theresa) and Shawn (Carly), three grandchildren Tucker, Charlei and Walker Havlik, his beloved dog Sadie, and a sister Linda Ammons from North Liberty along with his niece Tamy. Terry was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws, and brother-in-law. Over the years he developed a real enjoyment in restoring old cars. He started with a 1923 T-roadster, and later a 1934 Ford Coupe, 1967 Chevelle SS and a 1955 Chevy Nomad. Another passion of his was the annual fishing trips in Canada with a dear group of friends that for a long time also included his sons and their friends. He also had a long-standing love of trapshooting that resulted in years of attending the Iowa State Trapshoot in Cedar Falls which developed into another group of lifelong friendships. It became more important for him the friends that he had such enjoyment from more so than the sport. Up until his illness, he was committed to his Monday and Thursday morning coffee times with "the guys" and refused to make any other commitments during those times. Terry was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and was always looking forward to the next "side by side" vacation with the whole family. The family would like to extend a special note of gratitude to the staff at St. Lukes Hospital (Palliative Care, Emergency Dept, ICU and Hospice), PCI Oncology and Center Well Home Health for their compassionate care. Memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broschchapel.com.

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Published by The Gazette on Jan. 14, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Terry Elder

Sponsored by Brosh Chapel - Solon Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre.

5 Entries

Vicki Pruess

February 25, 2025

Hi Kathie, I am so sorry for your loss.
I cut Terry´s hair for at least 40 years I think! He was such a kind man and I always enjoyed talking with him every 4 weeks. He always spoke so fondly of you and the boys, I know how much he loved you all. He loved those grandchildren, too and was so happy the boys had both found nice women . And the dogs! Well that´s another story! He always got so attached to them !
I´m sorry I didn´t hear about Terry´s illness sooner. I certainly would have come and visited him if he was willing to chat. I always thought I´d call you after I retired and see where he had his coffee and drop in for a surprise!
I feel so bad I never got around to it.
Please know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. To be married for 51 years is a wonderful accomplishment (Steve and I will have 40 years this fall!) and I´m sure the lack of Terry´s presence is felt very deeply for you. The memories you all must have are a huge blessing. Hold them close!
My deepest sympathy to you all,
Vicki Pruess
(I would have sent a card, but I didn´t have your address. I just had Terry´s old phone number, I tried to call but couldn´t get through)

Nyssa Dixon

January 16, 2025

I am so sorry for your loss. I have never met Terry, however I worked with Shawn at P&G in Iowa City. Shawn was one of my favorite people to work with and if Shawns personality is an indication of Terry's, then I am sure Terry will be sorely missed by many!

Laura clemens

January 15, 2025

The first time I met terry was when Shawn and Carly wanted to do a fish fry in our shop for terry shawn and all their fishing friends that fly in to go fishing in Canada. Terry was smiling ear to ear and asked me to go out on the back porch ... he said I told Shawn what are you waiting for ... put a ring on it...they were in Canada when he gave his son the advice Then we both laughed and said we will be in laws soon terry was such a great sweet man and enjoyed going to Kathi and terry´s surprise 50th anniversary and then we all enjoyed our time in Colorado...Chad and Shawn reflect their father every day

Andrew & Krystal Schatzle

Planted Trees

Dennis Detweiler

January 13, 2025

Terry, his sister and mother lived on N. Dodge St during the later 1950's. I lived on Kimball Road. There were many kids in that area of town, and I spent many hours with him around the neighborhood. Condolences to his family.

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