Some memories of our dear friend Vern Terpstra
Dear Bonnie and Family,
We first met you and Vern in your first year in Ann Arbor, when you and we were very active in Michigan Christian Fellowship.  After your graduation, you kept in touch with us when you were missionaries in Belgian Congo.  During the violent civil war there, God protected you and gave you the wisdom to leave all your goods behind and take a casual walk across the border into safety.  Later, when President Harlan Hatcher came to UM-Flint for a talk to the students, he spoke at length about Vern's mission service and courage in that situation.
Decades later, you invited our large group of MCF alumni to a Saturday reunion at your home in Ann Arbor, starting a tradition that has continued annually or biennially until 2011.  The close bonds we formed in the 40's and 50's have blessed all of us through the decades since. 
And still in Ann Arbor, Vern and other Christian faculty have maintained a living witness to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We praise God for this witness.
With love and admiration over the years, from Malois and Don DeGraaf

I am so very sorry to learn about your loss.  My thoughts and prayers are with all of you: Mrs. Terpstra, Jim and his family, and Kathy and her family.
- Ann Lamkin-Ferranti

Since 1951 Vern and I have been associated as fellow University of Michigan-- Michigan Christian Fellowship members, but in the past 40 years he, Bonnie and I have been closely in touch. He was, and is, a godly man of faith, dignity and generous life. He will be missed.

Paul Champoux

My husband and his first wife, Vivian, were very good friends for many years. I married Bill three years ago and I also remember Vern being a friend of my parents, Rev and Mrs Harry Bultema, many years also. I was a friend of his sister, Ellen, too We send our condolences to his wife, Bonnie, and pray that God will be very close to her.

The Terpstra's courtesies to my late father, Richard Leslie (see photo), at Westminster Presbyterian Church featured the utmost mutual respect and Christian love.  No surprise.  That was their natural way with all.  Praise God!

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Vern Terpstra

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OBITUARY

Vern Terpstra

August 20, 1927 – November 6, 2013

Muehlig Funeral Chapel

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