Terry E Nystrom

Terry Eugene Nystrom was the second of six children to bless the home and hearts of his parents, Myron and June (Spurgin) Nystrom. He was born July 3, 1950, in Wichita, Kansas, but he lived for summers, which he and his older brother, Bob, spent working on their grandparents’ farm near Belleville, Kansas. Farm life was in his blood, and his granddad was his hero.

 When Terry was 15 years old, his life changed course. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease, and nearly died. The same year, his hero passed away suddenly, and the farm was sold.

 Terry decided to follow in the footsteps of another hero, his dad, Myron. He enlisted in the Navy and left home, soon after graduating from Derby High School in 1968.

 He was stationed on the U.S.S. Bennington, at Naval Air Station Miramar, in California, and as a door gunner on a helicopter in Vietnam. He served with honor and valor, not only as an airplane mechanic, but also by pulling his crew out of a burning hangar after a “hot” plane crashed into it and exploded. Despite his own injuries, he ran into the flames to pull out his buddies. 

 After being honorably discharged, he had several occupations. He drove a semi, was an auto mechanic, and worked as a sheriff’s officer for seven years. He drove for Banks Construction / Savage Services for over 20 years, but farming was still in his heart.

 In July of 1976, he married his sweetheart, Patricia (Stewart) Sallee and gathered Terry Leon and Tina Dalene into his heart, life, and family. Two more daughters graced his family; Amanda Marie, in 1977, and Kathy Anne, in 1982.

 Outside of work, Terry was an active member of both his church, and American Legion Post 81. He was also a Legion Rider, escorting many veterans to their resting place.

 Terry and Pat spent most of their nearly 49 years of marriage in the Burns, Kansas area, but he finally fulfilled his life-long dream, of owning a small farm, in 2014.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, Myron and June Nystrom, and his daughter, Kathy. He is survived by his wife, Pat, of Marion, his children: Terry (Pamela) Nystrom of Central Square, New York; Tina (Tom) Spencer of Peabody, Kansas, and Amanda (Marcus) Meerian of Topeka, Kansas; and his grandkids, Jacob (Rachel) and Jefferson Nystrom; Perri, Lukas, and Christopher Spencer; and Makenna, Mason, and Marshall Meerian; siblings Robert (Bridget) Nystrom of Holly Lake Ranch, Texas, Connie Millheim (Randy) of Valley Springs, Arkansas, Deborah (Dale) Maltbie of Andover, Kansas, Pamela (Dick) Lewis of Derby, Kansas, and Daniel (Kristy ) Nystrom of Libertyville, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

 For the past 20 years, he fought various cancers, diabetes, and heart failure. He climbed his last hill on February 4, 2025. He was truly a good and faithful servant.