Grace TerMaat 11/16/2025

Grace Helen TerMaat, age 93, of River Falls, died peacefully on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Grace was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan to Albert and Angelyn Stevens and enjoyed a happy childhood there with siblings Brad, Mary, Wystan and Eve. Grace’s love of dolls and dress-up fed an early interest in sewing, knitting and embroidery which became lifelong passions. She also learned to play the cello and her love of music brought her to Calvin College, where she played in the orchestra and studied for a career in elementary education. At Calvin she met her husband, Cornelius “Connie” TerMaat, who shared with her a love of vacations on Lake Michigan, the philosophy of Winnie-the-Pooh, pride in growing the tallest sunflowers, and the delight of chickadees calling in their backyard.

After moving to River Falls, Grace worked for the school district as a paraprofessional at Westside Elementary, Meyer Middle School and River Falls High School. She was a pioneer in the early days of personal computers in helping young students learn basic tech skills, and was known by many RFHS grads as the “Computer Lady.”

Always committed to welcoming the stranger in a time of need, Grace joined a church committee aiding Southeast Asian refugees starting new lives in River Falls in the 1970s. This also led to her tutoring refugee children with limited English skills, creating bonds with these students that lasted a lifetime.

Over the years, Grace and her cello were committed contributors to the St. Croix Valley Orchestra, various chamber ensembles, and a string quartet that regularly visited school classrooms. When not practicing for those groups, she nurtured the musical talent of her children and grandchildren and aspired to have enough musicians in the family for her own orchestra at Christmas.

Grace’s sewing passions evolved throughout her life. She made clothes for herself, her children, stuffed animals, and dolls before dedicating herself to quilting. Her specialty was converting delightful drawings made by her young grandchildren into lovingly appliqued and embroidered quilt art.

Grace is survived by children, Chris (Nancy) of Naperville IL, Martha of River Falls, Peter (Joan) of Minneapolis, MN, her sister Eve (Denis) Heidtmann of Portland OR, grandchildren Sara, John, Eric, Jason, Morgan, Mary and Max, and two great grandchildren, Elna and Bjorn.

Grace was a lifelong reader and dedicated book group enthusiast, who loved to foster her children and grandchildren’s interest in reading with frequent trips to the library. Contributions in her honor may be made to River Falls Public Library.

A Celebration of Grace’s Life will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 11 am at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services 805 E Division Street River Falls, WI.  Visitation will also be on Saturday from 10 – 11 am at the funeral home.  Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.

Click here to watch Grace’s service live on Saturday 12/13 at 11 am