- Fred LeRoy TerHark, age 78 of Aplington, Iowa, was born on April 18, 1933, the son of John and Hattie (Janssen) TerHark on the family farm near Aplington. He was baptized into the Christian Faith at the Christian Reformed Church in Ackley, Iowa, where he later was confirmed and became a member. He received his education and graduated from Wellsburg High School in 1951.
Fred served in the United States Army from April 6, 1953, during the Korean Conflict as a guard, and was honorably discharged on February 11, 1955.
On August 21, 1953, Fred was united in marriage with Edith Haats at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. The couple made their home and farmed in the Aplington area. To this union two daughters, Rhonda and Deborah were born. For many years Fred also owned and operated TerHark Salvage near Aplington. Upon retirement they moved to their present home west of Aplington in February of 1997.
Fred was a faithful member of the First Reformed Church in Aplington where he served as Elder, Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and Bible School Teacher. For many years Fred served through his church actively providing missionary work in Jamaica, Russia, Hawaii and various parts of Central America.
In his free time, Fred enjoyed collecting gas engines, fixing cars, watching wrestling, woodworking and doing handy work. He enjoyed volunteering with the church's tape ministry to Maple Manor Village.
Fred and the love of his life, Edee together enjoyed worldwide traveling, cruises and taking numerous motorcycle trips and tenting along the way. Most importantly he enjoyed spending time with his family especially with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Fred passed away on Thursday, October 27, 2011, from cancer at his home in Aplington, in the presence of his loving family under the care of Cedar Valley Hospice. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, in infancy and one grandson, Chris Morris.
Fred is survived by his wife of 58 years, Edith; two daughters, Rhonda TerHark of Eldora and Deborah (Terry) Johnson of Parkersburg; six grandchildren, Nicole (Mark) Day, Margaret (Rob) Gorter, Tamara (Tony) Ford, Kristy (Mike) Priebe, Kathryn Johnson and Jeremiah (Renee) Johnson; ten great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Sarah, Andrew, Marshall, Kenneth and Keira Day, Ayden Morris, Charlie and Annie Ford, and Landry Johnson; and one sister, Elizabeth (Curtis) Bartlett of Hudson.
Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, October 31, 2011, at First Reformed Church in Aplington. Burial will be held in the Christian Reformed Church Cemetery, Ackley.
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1933 - 2011 (78 jaar)