Stacie Lynn Terpstra

Stacie Lynn Terpstra (Murphy), age 57, passed away January 23, 2022. She was born on August 6, 1964 in Sherman, Texas to Marilyn and Philip Murphy. Stacie and her two brothers, Scott and Greg, grew up as an Air Force family. Their father, Phil Murphy, was a fighter pilot in the Air Force and as a family they moved quite a bit. This, as Stacie would say, was fun and exciting getting to see new places and meet new people.

Stacie met Rick nearly 40 years ago and just knew he was the one. The two would go camping on the beach, travel to thrilling places such as Cancun and Singapore, and attend all the concerts they could! On December 14, 1991, Stacie married her longtime friend and love in San Jacinto, California. They just celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this past year. After getting married they welcomed their first born Nicholas Emerson Terpstra on June 25, 1992 in Wildomar, California. She loved to tell the story of how big Nick was as a baby…11 lbs! After welcoming Nicky into the world they moved to Las Vegas, Nevada to continue their journey as a family.

Stacie worked for Universal Urethane for more than 30 years. She loved her job as an accountant and had many close colleagues. She also loved working with her husband Rick everyday. He has said Stacie knew which reports he needed even before he knew he needed them. She was the best at gathering what people needed.

A couple years later their second born, Alexander Richard Terpstra arrived on November 2, 1993. Every year on Alex's birthday Stacie would tell the story of how they got pulled over leading up to his delivery. They did not get a ticket that night the officer simply said to Rick, “you better get goin’ son”. To complete their family of five, Jason Philip Terpstra arrived on July 7, 1997 on the 7th floor of the hospital. He was her “Lucky Las Vegas 7” baby as she would say.

Of all the roles Stacie had: daughter, wife, granddaughter, niece, aunt, coworker, and friend her best and favorite role was being a mother. Stacie was a beautiful example of what a mother should be. She loved her boys fiercely and unconditionally. One of her proudest moments was watching Nick, Alex, and Jason graduate from college and mature into accomplished and caring young men.

She was their mother first and foremost but she was definitely a bonus mom to their inner circle of friends and girlfriends. Stacie would check in often with “the group” and get to know everyone involved in her son's lives, so much so that everyone felt like family.

Stacie and Rick purchased a condo in Reno, Nevada back in 2010 for their sons to live in and attend college. The two spent many weekends and countless hours remodeling and renovating the condo with the help of their friends. Stacie loved coming up to Reno! She would stock up the refrigerator, tend to the laundry, decorate, and make sure her boys had everything they needed.

The last couple of years Stacie enjoyed playing bingo with her friends, traveling around to see concerts (mostly Bryan Adams), visit friends and family in California, host barbeques, pool parties, dance to music, shop, decorate, and travel through Nevada with their friends.

Many know Stacie for hosting barbecue parties at the house, whether friends were traveling from near or far they were always welcome at the Terpstra home. Stacie would cut up all the vegetables, ensuring people ate something green, while Rick manned the barbecue. She would crank up her favorite 80’s music, grab a beverage, and join the celebration. Celebrating was something that came naturally to Stacie. She would get decorative plates and napkins, get people's favorite treats and was always seen laughing, smiling, and singing around the party.

Stacie loved a good night out with friends and family but she also lived for her Sundays in bed curled up with her puppy dogs. She loved having the dogs in bed with her while watching the latest Lifetime movie. When the Lifetime movie wasn’t up to her standards she would recruit her friends over for “Sunday Funday” and pour mimosas and sit around the pool.

Stacie operated out of love, when Stacie loved you- you knew it and she reminded you all the time. Her spirit and love is unmatched and will be in our hearts forever. Stacie would want everyone to put a little more love into the world and give people grace.

“Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give, but cannot. All that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.” - Jamie Anderson

A celebration of life is planned for March 19, 2022. Please reach out to the family for more details.

Stacie is preceded in death by her father Philip Murphy. She is survived by her husband Richard Terpstra, sons Nicholas Terpstra (Lena Gerrard), Alexander Terpstra, and Jason Terpstra (Hope Freeland). Mother Marilyn Murphy, brothers Scott Murphy and Greg (Sandy) Murphy. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, bestfriends, and her stepmother JoFran Murphy.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmcheyenne.com for the Terpstra family.