Terrance "Terry" Walter Staff, age 84, of Big Slough, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 19, 2024 in the Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire.

Terry was born on February 13, 1940 in Whitehall, the third of nine children, to Jens and Ila (Koxlien) Staff.  He married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Hendrickson of Rose Hill (rural Taylor) on July 18, 1959.  They raised three children on their farm on Big Slough Road, grew crops for their dairy cow herd and their deer herd.

In 1952, Terry was only twelve years old when his father, Jens, was tragically killed in a farm accident.  Terry was instrumental in holding the farm and the family together.  The younger six brothers looked to him like a Dad.

Terry worked hard at everything in his life: farming, milking, logging, hunting, fishing, dancing and loving.  He was a man of God and a lifetime member of Peace Lutheran of Pigeon Falls.

Terry is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara; three children, Cerise (Terry Kindschy) Staff, Bryan (Sarah) Staff and Brenda (John) Dulon; six grandchildren, Kimberly (Tanner) Harlow, Soren Staff, Cassandra (Zach) Yaritz, Michael (Katie) Musta, Mitchell Dulon and Jens (Greta) Staff; his great-grandchildren, Malachi, Isaiah, Jonah, Barrett, Elijah, Addilynn, Lilah and a baby boy due any day; four brothers, Phillip (Lillian) Staff, Randy (Kathy) Staff, Creighton (Bonnie) Staff and Alton Staff; a sister-in-law, Jan Staff; a brother-in-law, James Hendrickson and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In addition to his parents, Terry was preceded in death his siblings, James and his wife, Delores Staff, Sharon and her husband, Donnie Sampson, Fred Staff, Johnny Staff and a nephew, Mark Staff.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in Peace Lutheran of Pigeon Falls with burial in the Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery both in Pigeon Falls.  Pastor Greg Ofsdahl will officiate.

Visitation will be Tuesday, July 23, 2024 from 4-8 p.m. in the Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.

Memorials may be given on Terry's behalf to the Peace Lutheran of Pigeon Falls music department or the general fund.

"Dad was the last great oak that nobody wanted to cut down, and now he's down."