Lonnie Jean Terpstra Oiseth, 77, Bloomington
Lonnie Jean Terpstra Oiseth died peacefully on the evening of June 18, 2022 at her home in Bloomington, ending a two-and-a-half year fight with ovarian cancer.
Born June 11, 1945 in Rochester, she moved to Kasson, with her parents and brother Bob. There she was a very active student in the public schools. After graduating from Kasson-Mantorville High School she attended Drake University, Des Moines, where she majored in English, prepared to become a teacher, and served as president of her sorority.
In 1967 her teaching career began at Richfield High School, Richfield. For several years prior to retirement in 2001 she taught at Richfield Middle School.
She was a very popular teacher, admired and respected by her students, their parents, and her colleagues. She modeled respect and affection, and walked the talk. Always well-informed, she was curious and inspired curiosity in others. Good at finding answers, she conveyed the fun of learning. She was a great student motivator. In 1975 she received a Masters in Education degree at the University of Minnesota. She married Michael Oiseth in 1982 at Mantorville.
Retiring from teaching in 2001, she joined the Hennepin County Master Gardner program in 2004. Lonnie especially enjoyed meeting the public and answering their gardening questions at farmers markets.
At home she created extensive gardens, loved the outdoors, diligently fed birds and squirrels, and followed eagles, loons, and bears on online live cams
She was a voracious reader and lifelong learner, always attuned to current events.
Lonnie had a magnetic personality. Gracefully, she conveyed affection and warmth to those who knew her. She was a deeply loved and loving wife and friend whose integrity, strength, and clarity of thought continued impressively into her final days.
She was preceded in death by her wonderful parents, Lewis J. and Bertha (Tulp) Terpstra. She is survived by her husband, Michael Oiseth; step-daughter Amy Oiseth Grass (Jay), and step granddaughter Hanna Grass, Elizabethtown, Ky.; stepsons Jon Oiseth (Jessica), Chanhassen, and Nils Oiseth, Minneapolis; brother, Robert Terpstra, Boynton Beach, Fla.; nieces Jessica Terpstra and Erica Terpstra, and grandnieces Natalie and Kennedy, all of Los Angeles.
The family expresses special thanks to Dr. Rachel Elizabeth Lerner and nurses at Frauenshuh Cancer Center, the care team of the Park Nicollet Hospice. We thank supportive neighbors Jan and Doug Andreen, Dave and Stephanie Bade, and John and Bunny Rupert. We acknowledge Lonnie’s very special and caring friends Jeanne Frank, Lynn Wimberly, and Julie and Brian Lentz (and sons Austin and Colby). Deep gratitude to all these.
Memorials are preferred to HealthPartners Frauenshuh Cancer Center, Park Nicollet Methodist Hospice, or the Animal Humane Society.
There will be no funeral. A private memorial service is to be planned.