Mitchell Ronald "Ron" Terpstra

Mitchell Ronald “Ron” Terpstra, 87, of Harvard, Illinois, was born April 27, 1938, in Walworth, Wisconsin, the first child of Mitchell and Nila (Dunbar) Terpstra. He passed away peacefully on Monday, February 9, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Janesville, Wisconsin.

On September 20, 1958, he married the love of his life, Nancy Lorraine Dahlgren, in Harvard, Illinois. They shared 57 loving years together until her passing.

Ron spent most of his life working as a mechanic. He owned and operated his own service station in Chemung for many years and later worked on refrigerated trucks for Dean Foods until his retirement. He was a hardworking and dependable man who took pride in helping others.

He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, a proud veteran of the United States Army, and a member of the Harvard Moose Lodge. Ron enjoyed thrifting, going to garage sales, and sharing meals and conversation with friends. Above all, he cherished his family and had a deep love for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

He is survived and will be forever missed by his daughters Heidi (Mark) McCloskey of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin; Rhonda (Todd) Burnett of Miranda, California; and Melissa Anderson (Jeremy Gibb) of Johnsburg, Illinois; his sister, Darlene Swiech; sister-in-law, Darlene (Ted) Crumb; and a very special woman in his life, Sharon Kurth.

He is also survived by his grandchildren: Cole (Claire) McCloskey; Jacob McCloskey; Carter (Olivia) McCloskey; Kennedy (Alpheus Moore), Regann, Madison, and Jaxson Burnett; Morgan and Joseph Anderson; Ashley Lindholm (Nick Ottolino) and Brittany (Bill) Landwer; great-grandchildren Maddox McCloskey, Brynlee Landwer, and Liam and Patrick McGovern; and many nieces, nephews, and incredibly cherished close friends.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Nancy; his son, Michael Terpstra; granddaughters Macie and Gracie Burnett; brothers John and Robert Terpstra; sisters Caroline (Nell) Ward and Joyce Bremser; and brothers-in-law Bob Ward, John Bremser, and Carl Swiech.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 13, at Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home, 107 W. Sumner Street, Harvard, Illinois. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 504 E. Diggins Street, Harvard, Illinois. Interment will follow at Dunham-Chemung Cemetery in Chemung, IL.

Ron will be dearly missed by his family and many friends.

Family and friends may sign the online guest book at www.saundersmcfarlin.net.

Call Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home for more information at 815-943-5400.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.