Terry J. Garvey

Terry J. Garvey, age 73, of Yankton, South Dakota, died Sunday, July 14, 2024, at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton, South Dakota.

A rosary and vigil service will be at 7:00 PM on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton, South Dakota, with Reverend Thi Pham officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Sunday at the funeral home. A private family graveside service will take place at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Yankton at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Avera Foundation Yankton.

Terry J. Garvey was born April 13, 1951, in Yankton, South Dakota, to William and Lorraine (Gemmill) Garvey. He grew up in Yankton and graduated from Yankton High School in 1969. He then attended the University of South Dakota at Springfield where he received his bachelor’s degree in education in 1973. He married Norma Rembold on May 12, 1973 in Scotland, South Dakota. Shortly after their marriage, Terry was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis which he battled for over 50 years. Terry taught for 15 years in Iowa and South Dakota but as his health started to decline he thought they should move back to Yankton. Terry worked as an educator at Ability Building Services and also worked at Walmart in Yankton, first in the sporting goods department and then as a greeter. Terry enjoyed his time as a greeter, always excited to see people and greet them with kindness. Terry’s passions in life were his children, grandchildren and weightlifting. He loved his grandchildren above everything else and centered his life around them.

Survivors include his wife, Norma Garvey of Yankton, South Dakota; son, Steve (Maggie) Garvey of Omaha, Nebraska; son-in-law, Brady (Jill) Muth of Yankton; five grandchildren: Henry Garvey and Colin, Hannah, Addison and Kennedy Muth; brother, Tim (Deanna) Garvey of Yankton and sister, Toni (Jim) Haffner of Bemidji, Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Lorraine Garvey; daughter, Heather Muth; and in-laws, Walter and Viola Rembold.