Curt R Terhaar

Curt Raymond Terhaar, 62
Curt Raymond Terhaar, "Uncle Dirt," was born on August 30, 1962, in Cottonwood, Idaho, to Ralph and Sally (Alma Celine Uhlorn) Terhaar. He was the second of 10 children: Laurie first, then Curt, then 5 more sisters, until Andy was born and he finally had a little brother, and then 2 more!
Curt started school in Greencreek, and when it closed, he completed the rest of school in Cottonwood. He graduated in 1980 with one of the largest classes to pass through Prairie High School. As a child, Curt loved being outside with his dad, shooting squirrels, and pranking his 6 "innocent" sisters! He loved football but seldom got to watch it with 6 sisters and 1 TV! He did, however, teach his sisters and nephews about the game and reveled in telling stories about his high school football days. He helped his dad a lot on the farm doing whatever needed to be done, from picking rocks to driving trucks and tractors. He helped with animals and did most of the farm chores until going to college. He even learned to cook, but it wasn't his strongest skill!
Curt loved anything with wheels or wings and an engine, including big rigs, NASCAR, and especially airplanes. He earned his A&P Certification (airframe & powerplant) from Idaho State University, graduating in 1982. While attending school in Pocatello, he met Joan Ackerman of Grangeville, and they married in 1983. After college, he applied his trade at Colley Aviation in Nezperce. When Jack Colley retired, Curt went to work for Robert (Bob) Branson, also of Nezperce. Over the course of Curt's farming career, he also worked for Pat Barnett, Ron Lightfield, Bill Flory, and Cliff and Clark Tacke. When his dad retired from farming, Curt continued operations on the Terhaar family's Idaho Century Farm. He enjoyed being outside, working with his hands, and tending the land. He knew his cattle, many by name, and enjoyed telling stories about a calf that acted more like his dog and about his big, gentle bull. Curious with a sense of adventure, he was always up for a long Sunday drive, destinations unknown as he explored every paved and gravel road on the Camas Prairie and beyond.
Curt spent his life putting others first and helping wherever he could. He was active with the EMT crew in Nezperce and the Cottonwood Jaycees. The Cottonwood Fire Department recognized him for 20+ years of volunteer service. A man of faith and strong political ideals, he was a long-time member of the Saint Anthony's Society and a constant presence at Greencreek community events, even at funerals, supporting grieving families with his presence and helping them laugh through their tears.
Curt and Joan raised their three daughters – Beth, Dani, and Colleen (yes, more girls!) – in Nezperce, Greencreek, and Cottonwood. They enjoyed checking cows with their dad and riding alongside him in the combine and trucks at harvest time. He was so proud of his girls, especially those parts of him he saw reflected in their lives. Curt dearly loved his grandkids, too. He happily jumped in as Gemma's favorite playmate when she was young, and he proudly told anyone who would listen about Rachael and Zachary's miraculous preemie births.
"Uncle Dirt" always had time for his nieces and nephews. His twinkling eyes would light up when playing with kids, even the ones sitting in the church pew in front of him. The "Baby Whisperer" calmed fussing babies with the gentle rocking of his big, warm arms and the hum of a soft lullaby. He also had an infectious laugh that could be heard half a mile away! This usually followed one of his many stories or dad jokes or animated exclamations of "Is that right?! Oh, you don't say!"
On March 25, 2025, Curt died suddenly of natural causes on a beautiful spring day at the family's property up at Westlake – a fitting farewell for a man so connected to the family and the land he loved so much. We all just wish it hadn't been so soon.
Curt was loved in this life by his parents, Ralph & Sally Terhaar; his wife, Joan Terhaar; his daughters: Beth (Adam) Schumacher, Dani Terhaar (Dale Hiscock), and Colleen Terhaar (Justin Hall); his siblings: Laurie (Dan, late) Karel, Rhonda (Jim) Wemhoff, Barby (Kraig) Carroll, Camille (Kevin) Talbot, Carol (Greg) Adams, Jill Terhaar Lewis (Rob), Andy (Molly) Terhaar, Kevin (Angela) Terhaar, and Paul (Becky) Terhaar; his in-laws: Tony Ackerman (Leslie Morgan), Bob (Kathy) Ackerman, Sally (Tim) Seubert, and Kathy (Marty, late) Paterson; his beloved grandchildren: Rachael and Zachary Schumacher, Gemma Kaschmitter, and Quintin Hall (late); and many dear nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at St. Anthony Parish in Greencreek on Saturday, April 26, with a rosary at 1:00 PM and Mass at 1:30 PM. A reception will follow in the Greencreek Hall. Blackmer Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Send condolences to the family to blackmerfuneralhome.com. Memorials can be made to Saint Anthony's Society.
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