Terri J. Nicholson

Terri Jo Nicholson went home to be with her heavenly Father on October 29, 2023, after a yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer. Terri was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on June 19, 1959, to parents, Mike and Sharon Reemtsma. She was one of five siblings and loved her family dearly.

Terri accepted Christ as her savior at an early age and continued to follow His leading throughout her life. She graduated from Columbia Heights High School in 1977. Soon after, on July 1, 1977, she married the love of her life, Dennis Nicholson. They traveled this journey of life together, side by side, for forty-six loving years. They enjoyed kayaking, fishing, camping, and playing music together. Dennis was her rock, and he was a wonderful caregiver to her during this last year of her illness.

Terri was blessed with two daughters and five grandchildren. She had a strong bond with each of her daughters. She often shared her greatest joy was her grandchildren. She spent countless afternoons and evenings at sporting events, recitals, band concerts and more. She cherished each unique and special relationship she shared with each grandchild.

Terri’s working years consisted of more than twenty years of retail experience, where she established countless meaningful relationships with both coworkers and customers. She was also exceptionally talented in making handmade gifts and she blessed many people with her beautiful handiwork over the years. Terri loved music, and spent innumerable hours at the piano, playing hymns of faith, while Dennis would strum along on the guitar. Often, her girls would be at her side, singing along. Terri used her talents at the piano to serve in churches they attended, as well as ministering in local nursing homes like Green Acres and Ecumen. One of Terri’s other passions was volunteering at Lakes LifeCare Center, a pregnancy resource center, with her dear friend Molly.

Terri’s love for others stemmed directly from her relationship with her heavenly Father. She had a deep abiding faith that sustained her even through this difficult past year of her life. Even during her illness, Terri took time to encourage others, often sending notes of thanks and encouragement. She loved lifting others up, and even amid her own pain, would often turn the conversation away from herself, to focus on the needs of the individual she was visiting with.

She fought a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. If you asked her the motivation behind her fight, she would tell you, she just wanted more time with her family. She wanted more time to make a difference in other people’s lives. When she was first diagnosed, she shared with her daughters, that she just hoped someone else’s life would be changed for the better because of her suffering. That is who Terri was.

Terri is survived by her devoted husband, Dennis, her daughters, Brenda (Neil) Powell, Laura (Andrew) Hanson, cherished grandchildren, Drew, Joseph, Anna, Jack and McKenna, her mother, Sharon Reemtsma, siblings, Kym (Jon) Budish, Mark (Barb) Reemtsma, Chad (Tara) Reemtsma and a multitude of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Mike Reemtsma and sister, Lisa Reemtsma.

A special thanks to the Oncology team at Dr. Bhaskar’s office, the radiation team at Dr. Sood’s office, and the nurses from St. Croix Hospice.

And finally, a thank you to all the friends and loved ones who have sustained Terri and her family in prayer, support, and kindness over that last year. Your support at this challenging time is a great comfort to all the family.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Chisago Lakes Baptist Church, 9387 Wyoming Trail, Chisago City, Minnesota.  Visitation one hour prior to the service at the church.  A luncheon will follow the service.  Interment at Linwood Township Cemetery, Linwood, Minnesota.