Terry Ann Groeneman

Terry Ann Groeneman, 69, passed away peacefully on the morning of November 3, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family and comforted by her faith. A lifelong Colorado resident, Terry lived a life full of love, laughter, adventure, and an extraordinary devotion to the people she held dear. While her family will miss her more than words can express, they find comfort in knowing she is now in Heaven, reunited with her parents and free from pain, ready for her next great adventure.

Terry was, first and foremost, a devoted wife, mother, and Grammy. She and her husband, Dan, shared 45 wonderful years of marriage. He was the love of her life, her favorite travel companion, and her partner in countless adventures. Whether camping in the mountains, cruising somewhere warm, or exploring Ireland on a special trip last year, they made a lifetime of memories together. Their song was “Moonlight Bay.”

Terry was a wonderful mother to her three daughters, Pamela, Laura, and Melanie, and loved her sons-in-law, Jordan and Akshay. But becoming a Grammy was perhaps her favorite role of all. To her six grandchildren- Riley, Caroline, Jackson, Austin, Elizabeth, and Katherine- she was quite simply the greatest person to ever exist. And she made sure they knew just how much they were loved. She traveled near and far to be there for concerts, recitals, birthdays, holidays, and all the little moments in between. If a grandchild asked Grammy to come, Grammy came. It was as simple as that. She was their biggest cheerleader, their constant source of love, and one of their very favorite people.

One of the most special relationships in Terry’s life was the bond she shared with her sister, Tammie. Together they shared a lifetime of laughter, and loved to share silly jokes with each other, often laughing so hard they would cry. From their childhood days as “The Biscuit Sisters” to their antiquing and shopping excursions as adults, their sisterhood was filled with a special kind of friendship, endless laughter, and a lifetime of memories that will always be treasured.

Terry’s love of children extended well beyond her own family. After attending college in Greeley, Colorado, to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher, she began her career teaching third grade. After taking time to raise her daughters, she eventually returned to the classroom, where she taught first grade. She was an incredible teacher who had a special way of making every child feel loved and important. She might begin the school year with a room full of unfamiliar little faces, but it never took long before they became HER kids. She loved them as her own, and the impact she made on those children lasted long after they left her classroom.

Terry had a wonderful way of making ordinary things feel special. She loved her garden, especially her roses and peonies, and often spent time cross-stitching, baking, or making homemade jams and pie fillings, usually with a good friend. She loved a cozy mystery, a cup of tea, her favorite cozy slippers, and her beloved Brown Betty teapot. She passed her love of books and reading down to her daughters and grandchildren, along with countless other little pieces of herself.

She loved spending time with her friends, gathering for Bible study, cheering on the Broncos, and collecting souvenirs from her travels. She never met a magnet she didn’t like.

And then there was Christmas. No one loved Christmas quite like Terry. She transformed her home into a holiday wonderland, filling every corner with decorations, playing Christmas music, and making the season feel magical for everyone around her. She had a gift for making every holiday special, but Christmas was her masterpiece. Her family will forever remember the warmth, excitement, traditions, and joy she brought to the season.

She was funny, generous, nurturing, and just the right amount of silly. She also had a few classic Terry-isms that will live on for years to come. One of her favorites, usually delivered with a mischievous smile while her daughters were trying on outfits (even prom dresses), was, “You’ll need to wear a shirt under that!” It became such a familiar refrain that her daughters still say it to one another today. It is just one of the many little pieces of Terry that will continue to show up in their everyday lives.

Above all, Terry’s faith was the foundation of her life. She loved Jesus, cherished her time in Bible study, and found comfort in the promise of Heaven. Her final season was not an easy one. She was strong and brave, and she fought incredibly hard to stay with her family for as long as she could. Her family takes comfort in knowing that she is now at peace, free from pain, and home with the Lord.

If Terry could choose how she would be remembered, she would probably ask that everyone gather together, share a good meal, tell a funny story, and have a laugh. She would want the stories told, the memories shared, and the family she loved so dearly to keep showing up for one another.

She taught her family strength, joy, generosity, and resilience. She taught them how to make a home feel like home, how to find magic in the little things, and how to love people wholeheartedly. And perhaps most importantly, she taught them everything they would need to carry on without her, even if none of them were quite ready to put those lessons to the test.

Her family will miss her every day, but they will find her in the roses blooming in the garden, the sound of Christmas music, a good book, a Broncos game, a homemade pie, a collection of travel magnets, and every time someone reminds another to wear a shirt under that.

Until the next adventure, Grammy. You are loved beyond measure.