Terry Gillett

Terence (Terry) Gillett, 86, of Harrison, NE passed away Sunday, May 25 at Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Terry was born March 17, 1939 in Crawford, Nebraska to Harriet and Rowland Gillett. He was the 8th child out of 13 living siblings. He attended district 51 in rural Sioux County. He attended high school at Sioux County High School, graduating in 1958. During high school, he played football, basketball and track while also helping with his family’s farm.

Following graduation, Terry worked at a sugar beet factory and attended Grace College of the Bible for two years. On August 6, 1961, he married Phyllis Masters. They would go on to spend the next 63 years as a couple. For the first year of their married life, Terry worked at a packing plant and attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

In May of 1962, Terry and Phyllis returned to Harrison to manage her family’s ranch which they eventually purchased. Terry spent the rest of his life enjoying “God’s Country.” He started with a cow/calf operation but eventually switched to running yearlings.

Terry loved the Huskers, playing games (train, pitch, canasta), and history. He was an avid reader of nonfiction who enjoyed sharing tidbits he had learned. Everyday started with prayer and reading the Bible. He liked attending and helping out with church activities. He loved spending time with family and friends. People, not things, were important to him. We will miss seeing him driving his side-by-side through the pasture with faithful Patch at his side.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Rowland and Harriet Gillett and his children, Kelly, Jodi and Timothy, brothers and sisters: Eston, Phyllis, Quinten, Vivian, Robert, Willa and LaVern. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis, daughter Shelly (Dan) Caskey, grandchildren, Rachel, Bethany (Jake) DeWitt, Katie and Caleb, and great-granddaughter, Quinn. His living siblings are Donald (Don), Eleanor (Norie), Clarence, Arline and Elizabeth, (Beth) along with numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be given to Harrison Bible Church or the Harrison Volunteer Fire Department in Terry’s memory.

The funeral service for Terry will be held at Harrison Bible Church on Saturday, May 31st at 10:30am.