Rosa May Davis Terpstra
February 21, 1938 - January 13, 2026
Obituary
STOUGHTON - Rosa May Davis Terpstra passed away peacefully on January 13, 2026, at the age of 87. Rosa was born February 21, 1938, to Iva and Thomas Davis in Geneva, Wis. Spending most of her early life in Delavan, Wis., Rosa graduated from Delavan High School, class of 1956. In the late summer of 1958, she wed Kenneth Davis in a ceremony at Delavan United Methodist Church. Rosa and Kenneth were blessed with three daughters, (Diana) Sue, Julie, and Gina. After Kenneth’s passing, Rosa remarried John Terpstra in a ceremony at Stoughton United Methodist Church in the spring of 1983.
After her girls started school, Rosa worked for Petty Realty in Stoughton, Wis., for many years until she moved to the Portage area after her marriage to John. She continued to work until the early 2000s when she finally retired from WPS. A devoted daughter, Rosa spent her early retirement years as the primary caregiver for her father, Thomas.
When not working, Rosa was an avid volunteer for both her community and church. She spent years playing the piano and organ for services. She also volunteered delivering meals for her community with Meals on Wheels and working at the Stoughton Methodist Church Food Pantry.
Rosa enjoyed traveling and seeing the United States. She frequently traveled with one of her daughters, friends or with the Weekenders. When she was home, she could be found working in her garden, reading, or playing cards at the Senior Center. She also enjoyed spending time with her lifelong best friend, Virginia Stirmel, her caretaker, Angie, and her rambunctious cat, Gus.
Rosa is survived by her daughters, Diana Sue Lind, Julie Davis, and Gina Davis as well as her grandchildren, Eric (Katie) Lind, Casey Phelps, and Carly (Aaron) Rehwald. She was preceded in death by her parents, Iva and Thomas Davis as well as her husbands, Kenneth Davis and John Terpstra.
A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON STOUGHTON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 1358 Highway 51 N. at Jackson St., Stoughton, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Kettle Park who provided a wonderful and caring home for Rosa. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Stoughton
Funeral & Cremation Care
1358 Highway 51 N. at Jackson St.
(608) 873-4590