Tessie Carolyn Ouderkirk, peacefully passed into life everlasting Tuesday, September 14th at Heritage Estates Nursing Home in Gering, Nebraska. A memorial service will be Friday, October 15, 2021 at 10:30am at Central Church of Christ in Gering. Gering Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
Tessie was born October 23rd, 1940, in Robinson, IL. to Walter and Gladys (Ditzenberger) Termain and grew up on a small farm with her younger brother “Rex.” She went to school in Hudson, IL where she was an active part of Band and Drill team. She graduated from Hudson High School in 1958. She became a beautician for Helene Curtis, and later became a traveling instructor for their company. Tessie settled in Denver after marrying Donald Dean Luce and having her only son Todd. Unfortunately that marriage did not last, and she was a single mom raising her son. She worked for many years at Presbyterian Hospital as an accountant until she met and married Karl “Doug” Ellerman. They were very adventurous and traveled a lot. They loved camping and seeing God’s gorgeous scenery. They were both serious “Rock Hounds” looking for gemstones throughout the West. Tessie and Doug finally settled in Gering, Nebraska in 1978. Tessie was an active member of Central Church Of Christ, where she worked as secretary for a short time. She enjoyed playing the piano and singing in the choir. She also volunteered in the kitchen, and loved helping with many different ministries. She also helped her husband Doug, as he was the custodian for the church. She worked for Panhandle Co-op in the Accounting offices for many years. When Doug passed away she went to work for Olan Mills, traveling to different churches taking pictures for directories. Returning to Gering when she retired, Tessie met and married Ernest Ouderkirk, moving out to his ranch. She enjoyed photographing wildlife, painting, sewing, quilting and baking. Tessie loved her grandsons and loved showing pictures of them and bragging about them to everyone who would listen. She loved traveling and visiting them and taking pictures along the way. Tessie’s adventurous spirit, kind heart, and simple, yet strong faith in God carried her through life.
She was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Gladys Termain, her husband’s Karl “Doug” Ellerman, and Ernest Ouderkirk.
She is survived by her Brother Walter “Rex” Termain (who passed away 9 days after Tessie), Her son, Todd (Tara) Luce of Florence, CO. Grandchildren - Taran (Shannon) Luce, STS3 Tucker Luce (U.S. Navy), Tayevian Luce, Tekoa Luce. Great Grandchildren - Tai Cordon, Mara Jade, and Rowan Arthur. Her stepchildren Todd (Denise) Ouderkirk, Vickie (Perry) Crom, Grandchildren - Brandy (Alan) Johnson, and Cassy (Nick) Eskam, and Great Grandchildren - Taylie, Jace, Jackson, Lane, and Kinsley.
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