Terry Lane Herring

FARMINGTON–Terry Lane Herring entered hospice comfort care on June 13, 2025, and passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 21, 2025, in the arms of his Lord.

Terry was born October 28, 1947 to Jeanette Ellen Herring and Roy Warren Herring in Tokyo, Japan, in a military hospital where his father was a Master Sergeant for the U. S. Army. His parents settled back into civilian life on a dairy farm in Marshall, Minnesota. They reared six children, Terry being the oldest.

As a young boy, Terry loved to draw nature. He was a member of the “Stanley Busy Beavers,” attended the Wesleyan Methodist Church and Future Farmers of America. He graduated from Marshall Public High School on June 6, 1965.

After high school, Terry attended Canby Technical College, where he received his Architectural Diploma. He designed the Mausoleum in Marshall, MN, among other things, while working for Anderson Construction.

In the prime of his life, Terry was drafted into the military. The day he was to be shipped to Vietnam, Commander Booker illegally entered Korean waters. The first half of the alphabetical draft went to the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea. Terry ended up on the burning fields, as an Artillery Surveyor. The clash between his home values and the reality of war never left him, and he suffered from PTSD.

Terry married Barbara Ann Wimmer in May 1972. They had three children: Kimberly Watre (Michael), Kara Herring, and Kevin Herring. They moved to Lakeville, MN. They were married 13 years. After his military service, Terry established a career as an Industrial Redesign Engineer. He taught blueprint reading, geometric tolerancing and trigonometry at St. Paul Community College, contracted with American Hoist, Continental Machines, Caterpillar, and Mammoth, among many others. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 210, and part-time police volunteer.

In 1985, Terry again met his high school sweetheart, Heather Louise Throop. He and Heather, who was also divorced, picked up where they left off. They married July 7, 1990, and settled in Farmington, MN. Heather has one son, Anthony. They never had children together and were married 34 years. Their devotion to each other was immeasurable.

In 2009, Terry began to show noticeable signs of dementia. He retired and took a part time job for Schmitty & Sons as a school bus aid for special needs preschoolers and seniors aging out of the system. He felt great joy from these young people and cherished every note and drawing. Terry and Heather also took care of their granddaughters, Victoria and Allison, after school. Both granddaughters developed a special relationship with Grandpa. They also loved being with Olivia, Hannah, and Nora, who lived farther away, but were still very dear.

Terry and Heather taught 3rd -5th Grade Sunday School at Faith Methodist church, sang in church choirs in both Methodist and Lutheran churches, and sang in a 50’s Ensemble for Eastern Star.

Terry volunteered for the Dakota County Fair, Meals on Wheels, started an Alcoholics Anonymous group at Farmington Lutheran Church, helped with Wednesday night dinners at Faith Methodist Church, was a Past Patron of the Order of Eastern Star, Chrysalis bible study, and a Christian motorcycle group.

Terry is preceded in death by his grandfather Karl Anderson, whom he adored, grandmother Ruth Anderson, uncle Keith Anderson (Balaton, MN) best friend William Buckley (Sharon), his parents Roy & Jeannette Herring, brother Scott Herring and brother-in-law Greg Tolzmann. Terry is survived by his wife Heather, children Kimberly Watre (Michael), Kara Herring, Anthony David Kavitz, Kevin Herring, five granddaughters (Victoria Ehlen, Olivia Watre, Hannah Klop, Allison Kavitz, and Nora Watre), his siblings Bryan Herring, Monte Herring (Eva), Shaun Herring (Paula), and Melanie Tolzmann. He’s also survived by dear friends from AA, Methodist and Lutheran Churches, Masons, bus garages, and motorcycle buddies.

A very private person, Terry was ready to pass after his last debilitating stroke in 2022. His family is so grateful to the Veterans Administration, Veterans Home Minneapolis, for the respectful care Terry received in those government facilities.

Terry chooses not to have a funeral, but rather a dedication back to his Lord at Fort Snelling in Minneapolis, MN on July 31, 2025, promptly at 1:15 pm.

A Celebration of Life will follow the burial at Farmington Lutheran Church located at 20600 Akin Road, Farmington Minnesota at approximately 2:30 pm