Terry Willkom

1943 - 2025

Terry Willkom

February 23, 1943 - May 16, 2025

Terry Willkom passed away peacefully on May 16, 2025, at Beehive Homes with his family by his side.

He was born on February 23, 1943, to Oswald Willkom and Leone (Janssen) Willkom in Boyd, Wisconsin. Terry always spoke very highly of Boyd and the people there. He was very proud of being a pin setter at Boney's Bowling Alley and Bar for 10 cents an hour when he was young. He also spent a lot of time at his Grandfathers General Store.

He graduated from McDonell High School in Chippewa Falls in 1960 and from the UW-Eau Claire in 1966 with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Chemistry.

He married Sharon Maxwell in 1963, and they had two daughters. Sharon died in 1972. He later married Susan Renk Geier in 1982.

Terry held many positions during his career. He was a researcher at 3M in Minneapolis in 1963, and became Business Manager at St. Joseph's Hospital in Chippewa Falls in 1968.

He was elected a State Representative from Chippewa County in 1971 and served as Majority Leader of the Assembly from 1971-1976. He was appointed Deputy Secretary of Health and Social Services from 1977-1981. He became Director of Northern Center for the Developmentally Disabled from 1984-1989.

Terry left the public sector to become Acting President of Rex Systems from 1989-1990. He relocated to Colorado Springs to serve as President and COO of Cray Computer in 1990. He always had very fond memories of his time with Seymour Cray and was grateful for the opportunity to work with him.

Terry spent many hours on genealogy with his cousin Naomi Wiesjahn, and they were able to procure dual citizenship in Luxembourg for several immediate family members.

Terry loved the outdoors. He spent a lot of time ice fishing, fishing and hunting. He raised and showed Irish Setter dogs for many years and treasured his time with his horse, Cinco

After Seymour died, he and Susan came back to Wisconsin and settled in Eau Claire where they became devoted grandparents, and Terry reengaged in his love for horses. He took his horse Cinco back and forth to Florida for many years. Ultimately, his Parkinsons made travel too difficult, but he was able to continue his love for pickleball for a few more years.

Terry is survived by his wife of 43 years, Susan; his daughters Mary Catherine (Jim) Anglum and Michelle Markquart; and two grandchildren, Christopher and Lu Markquart. He had two stepchildren, Jill Geier in Denver and Jay (Diane) Geier in Atlanta; and three step grandchildren: Flint, Jack and Annabelle (Rhett) Hilburn. He is also survived by his sister Lynn Willkom in Madison and his two nieces, Lori (Jes Asmussen) Willkom and Julie (David) Crawford). He had a special relationship with his former son-in-law, Dave Markquart.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Sharon Maxwell, his brother, Larry Willkom and his son, Allen who died in infancy.

Per Terry's wishes there will be no funeral services, and his ashes will be interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Eau Claire. There are two special engraved benches by the Band Shell Gazebo in Irvine Park in Chippewa where he and his brother Larry are memorialized.

His family wants to thank a special caregiver, Deb Johnson, Beehive Homes and St. Croix Hospice for taking such good care of him.

Chippewa Valley Cremation Services – Celebration of Life Center is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.chippewavalleycremation.com.