Terry John McAuliffe

Terry J. McAuliffe was born January 19, 1949 to Calvin and Donna (Schutz) McAuliffe in Pawnee City, Nebraska.  He attended St. Mary’s Parochial School from K-8th and graduated from Sterling Public High School in 1967.  Within two weeks, Terry joined the Navy and left for Vietnam where he served until his honorable discharge on Feb. 1, 1973.  He received several awards for his service including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Combat Action Ribbon.  After serving his country, Terry attended SCC Milford and received a degree in HVAC. He worked for a couple years doing HVAC work in Hastings.  Due to his father Calvin’s health, Terry then returned home to farm. Terry had a love for the land and enjoyed farming.  He instilled his hard work ethic and strong faith to his kids.  Terry always told his kids “As long as you are living under my roof, you will be in church.”  He had a unique gift of talking to anyone and was very generous in helping others in need. Terry could strike up a conversation with a stranger!  He loved old tractors, yearly fishing trips to Milford with his crew, and attending his kids and grandkids activities. 

Terry and Tammy Davison were united in marriage in 1987.  They were blessed with McKenzie and Matt.  Previously, Terry was married to Gloria Hindera and they were blessed with Kevin, Gina and John.  Over the years, Terry and Tammy enjoyed going on cruises to the Bahamas.    

Terry’s classic statements were “If they don’t find you handsome, maybe at least they find you handy” and “Keep your stick on the ice.” 

After a year-long battle with cancer, Terry passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at the age of 75 years.

He is survived by his wife Tammy, children Kevin and Kirsten McAuliffe and their son Carson of Sterling,  Gina and Mike Lempka and their children Mikayla and Grant Lempka of Adams, John and Amanda McAuliffe and their children Kelsey and Hailey of Lincoln, McKenzie and Jake Saathoff and their children  Brock, Maelynn and Terryn of St. Mary, Matt and Katie McAuliffe and their children Lawson and baby boy McAuliffe of Sterling, sisters Karen Lempka and husband Chris of St. Mary, Kathy Schmit and husband Don of Burr, Connie Walters and Denise Horstman of Sterling, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law,  Jill McAuliffe of Sterling, Shari and Jeff Little of Tecumseh, Kevin and Cindy Fuhrman of OK, Todd and Laurie Hanson and Bruce and Kim Fuhrman of MN and mother-in-law Peggy Davison Fuhrman of Tecumseh, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother Patrick and brothers Mike and Larry McAuliffe, fathers-in-law, Junior Davison and Joe Fuhrman and brothers-in-law Ron Walters and Jim Horstman.

Mass of Christian Burial Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 1, 2024 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Mary, Nebraska with Father Christopher Kubat officiating.  The family requests casual dress.  The service was also livestreamed on the Wherry Mortuary Facebook page and link to the livestream is available here:https://www.facebook.com/100057240888156/videos/1266210637889901.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 5-6 p.m., Thursday, October 31, 2024 at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska.

Memorials may go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Interment will be in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, St. Mary, Nebraska with full military honors by the Navy Funeral Honors Team and the Sterling and Tecumseh VFW and American Legion Posts.

Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

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