Michael Terpstra

Michael Lee Terpstra, 73 of Pella passed away Tuesday, February 17, 2026 as the result of a farming accident. Funeral service will begin at 10:00 am Saturday, February 28, 2026 at the New Life Fellowship Church in New Sharon. Burial will be held in the Friends Cemetery in New Sharon. Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm Friday, February 27, 2026 at the New Life Fellowship Church in New Sharon with the family present from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the New Sharon Fire and Rescue or 725 Ministries. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of New Sharon is in charge of arrangements.

Mike was born on August 2, 1952, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to Robert and Mary Terpstra. He was raised on a farm near Pella alongside his sisters, Connie and Judy, and his brother Randy. He graduated from Pella Community School in 1970.

In 1971, Mike met the love of his life, Marcia Van Hall. They were united in marriage on March 3, 1972, at Tracy Christian Reformed Church. Together they built a life rooted in faith, family, and farming, and were blessed with three sons: Chad, Chip and Curt.

After high school, Mike drove truck and shelled corn for Jim Engbers, doing back-breaking work that shaped his strong work ethic. He later worked for Schiebout Tire, but farming was always his true calling. In 1974, that dream became reality when Mike and Marcia partnered Wilbur Roose to farm near Peoria, Iowa. Six years later, in 1980, they purchased their own farm near New Sharon, where they lived and worked side by side for 39 years, raising crops, livestock and their family. In 2018, they moved to Pella to Mike's grandfather's farm, bringing life full circle.

Mike's passion stretched far beyond the fields. In 1984, this Iowa kid surprised many by earning his scuba diving certification. He spent the next 28 years exploring the ocean on numerous trips. After suffering a massive heart attack in Florida in 2012, he was told he would have to give up diving, a difficult but character building chapter in his life.

He was his boys' biggest fan, rarely missing a sporting event. His greatest memories was the five years his sons performed and sang together as "Young Country." In 1992, Mike decided it was time to learn line dancing---and soon after he began teaching lessons for several years. The friendships formed through those classes meant the world to him. In 1994, Mike and Marcia, along with three other couples, traveled to Tennessee to dance on a televised show, Club Dance. True to who he was, Mike was still dancing the weekend before his passing.

Hunting was another treasured part of Mike's life. He cherished time spent on his hunting farms with family. His greatest thrill was receiving a call from one of his grandchildren announcing they had shot a nice buck. He took immense pride in attending his grandchildren's sporting and school events, always cheering them on with a full heart.

Mike was truly a jack-of-all-trades. If something was broken or not working properly, he would find a way to fix it. His hands were rarely still, and his willingness to help others was constant.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 53 years, Marcia; his sons, Chad Terpstra of Scottsdale, Arizona; and Chip and Lauren Terpstra of New Sharon, Iowa; his beloved grandchildren, Addison and Mason Terpstra; his sister, Connie (Jerry) Dowell; his brother, Randy Terpstra; his sisters-and-brothers-in-law, Twyla and Bob De Haan, and Karla Jim Van Hall/Scrivner; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, Curt (2016); his sister, Judy Johnson and brother-in-law, Randy Johnson; his parents, Robert Terpstra and Mary Briggs; and his parents-in-law, Wilbur & Janet Van Hall.

Mike's life was defined by hard work, deep love for his family, strong faith, and a spirit of adventure that carried him from Iowa cornfields to ocean depths and dance floors alike. He leaves behind a legacy of devotion, laughter, and family forever proud to call him theirs.