Terry Donald Durst

Terry Donald Durst, son of Donald and Eileen Durst, was born on January 29, 1959, in Spencer, Iowa.   Terry attended Sacred Heart Catholic School in Spencer and graduated from Spencer High in 1977.  Throughout his school years, Terry was an exceptional athlete and excelled in baseball, basketball, and track.

Terry married Martha Smith in December of 1981 in Cherokee, Iowa.  Following their marriage, they lived in Cherokee, Iowa, where they raised their three daughters: April, Bridget, and Jenny.  Terry worked as a manufacturing maintenance engineer for 40 years in the Cherokee area.

Terry had a love for animals of all kinds, especially his cats.  Terry was always known as a fisherman. He received many angler awards and taught this skill to his children and grandchildren.  He enjoyed blues music and dancing, collecting coins, attending events for his grandchildren, and traveling. He was very grateful for his opportunity to travel to Switzerland with his youngest daughter, Jenny.   He also cherished his close relationship with his brother.

Terry passed away in Estherville, Iowa on June 11, 2024, after a long battle with cancer, at the age of 65.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Eileen Durst; former wife, Martha (Smith) Durst; his paternal and maternal grandparents; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends.

He is survived by his brother, Michael Durst of Spencer; daughter April and son-in-law Mark Torrence of Spirit Lake, IA; daughter Bridget of Cherokee, Iowa; daughter Jenny and son-in-law Jeff McDonald of Ankeny, Iowa; his grandchildren Kai and Arius Begay (Bridget) of Cherokee; Korbin, Ashlynd, and Trent Williams (Jenny) of Ankeny, Iowa; and beloved aunts, cousins, and friends.

A Come and Go Memorial Celebration will be held on June 29, 2024, at Martin’s Access South Gate shelter from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.