A visitation gathering will be held for Terry Koenecke on Friday, June 26, 2026, from 2-4 p.m. at Henry Olson Funeral Home in Estherville. Iowa. Inurnment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Estherville, Iowa, following the visitation gathering.
Terry Donovan Koenecke was born on January 18, 1944, at the Holy Family Hospital in Estherville, Iowa to Donovan Koenecke and Harryett (Holsclaw) Koenecke. He passed away on December 8, 2025, at the Winter Haven Hospital in Winter Haven, FL.
He attended Emmet Consolidated School, north of Estherville, through 8th grade and graduated from Estherville High School in 1962. He looked forward to returning for the class reunions. In school, Terry participated in 4-H and FFA, exhibiting hogs at the Emmet County Fair.
Terry enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1965 and served at the Chateauroux Station, France, as an inventory supply specialist. After being honorably discharged from the service due to the sudden death of his father, he returned home to assist with the operation of the family farm. He also worked at Golden Sun Feeds in Estherville.
Terry relocated to Florida in 1987 and was initially employed in stucco house construction. Later and until his retirement, he was employed at pallet companies as a certified forklift operator. He was proud of how fast and efficiently he could load a semi-trailer.
Terry enjoyed bowling and golfing for years; sometimes bowling in as many as three leagues at once. In later years, he moved onto playing cribbage, pool and watching sports on television. His passion, however, was stock car racing. His enthusiasm grew while on the pit crew of local racing legend Bob Shryock’s #3 car. The love of racing grew into full NASCAR fanaticism while following Dale Earnhardt’s #3 car. After Dale Sr. passed away, Terry followed Dale Jr. #8 car just as enthusiastically. His personal vehicles were covered in NASCAR decals and he wore Earnhardt clothing. His black Monte Carlo #3 car was well known within his community. Not forgetting his roots, Terry connected with and followed the racing of Kelly Shryock.
Terry loved vanilla ice cream, with or without strawberries! He may have moved away from Iowa years ago, but Terry was proud and never forgot that he was an Iowa farm boy.
He is survived by his sister, Patricia Erichsen and her spouse, Charles Haukom; his nephew, Matthew Erichsen and his spouse, Jenny Erichsen; and, their daughter, Kyla Erichsen; Marilyn Jackson, his special friend; along with several cousins and friends.
Terry was preceded in death by his parents; Laura Kirkland, his loving companion; along with grandparents; aunts and uncles.
Online condolences may be left for Terry’s family at HenryOlsonFuneral.com.
