Terry V. Mudgett

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Terry Mudgett, age 70, of Clark, who left this world peacefully on October 28, 2025, after a long battle with cancer. He was at home surrounded by the love of his family.

Terry was born on November 30, 1954, to Harland and Viola Fern (Pierson) Mudgett of Henry, SD. He was the 12th of 14 children born to this union and was a proud graduate of Henry High School. Terry was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend whose kindness, integrity, and grit guided every part of his life. He married the love of his life, Renae (Larson) on July 10, 1976. For 49 wonderful years they lived and farmed in the rural Clark community, and together they built a life grounded in love, laughter, and hard work.

Terry was the proud father of Troy, Lisa, and Trevor, a dedicated father-in-law to Chris, Melissa, and Emma, and proud grandfather. He was a deeply cherished grandpa who was so proud of his eight grandchildren Hunter, Conner, Avery, Caitlyn, Peyton, Champ, Camden, and the newest addition Brooks, who brought him endless joy. He was never happier than being in the field, working at the "dumb farm" as he would say, or when spending time with his family.

A lifelong farmer, Terry poured his heart into the land, taking great pride in his work and the legacy, he built. Seeing the progress of the farm they expanded, was one of his greatest accomplishments. His dedication, honesty, and vision were also evident in his leadership beyond the farm. As a founding board member of Glacial Lakes Energy, Terry played an instrumental role in advancing agricultural growth and renewable energy in the upper Midwest, work that he truly enjoyed. To some of his fellow GLE board members he may have been known as "I.T. Terry" due to his reluctance of technology use and reliance on his flip phone without any saved phone numbers or contacts. To this day, he may be the only person known to have boarded an airplane with only a checkbook as a form of ID to get through security, while enroute to an ethanol conference. This is one of the many stories that will live on in his memory for years to come.

Terry will be remembered for his daily phone calls to his farmer friends, comical one-liners, steady wisdom, humble strength, and his deep care for his family. His laugh and cackle are something his family will dearly miss, along with the worrisome calls regarding incoming severe weather and making sure his entire family was home safe. His handshake was firm, his word was trusted, and his laughter filled every room he entered.

He is survived by his loving wife, Renae, his children Troy (Melissa) Mudgett of Clark, Lisa (Chris) Lee of Clark, and Trevor (Emma) Mudgett of Aurora, SD, his eight treasured grandchildren, brothers-Larry (Sharon) of West Monroe, LA, Randy (Candy) of Des Moines, IA, and Marlin of Sioux Falls, Sisters-Arlene Asleson of Florence, Arlys (Jack) Kays of Florence, Sharyl Graves of Sioux Falls, Glenda (Dean) Woods of Florence, Denise (Dave) Brewer of Havre, MT, Beryl McClung of Watertown, sister-in-law Janene Gehrke of Clark, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Dennis and Theresa Larson of Clark, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Harland and Viola (Fern) Mudgett, mother and father in-law Gordon and LaVonne Larson, sisters-DiAnn Cooper, Verla Berner, Delores Mudgett, Gayle Brekke, brother-in-law's Berniel Aslesen, John Graves, Leonard McClung, Mike Cooper, Ron Berner, and sister-in-law Jan Mudgett.

Though our hearts ache with his absence, we take comfort in knowing Terry's love, faith, and example will continue to guide us. His legacy lives on in the fields he cared for and the family he cherished.

A celebration of Terry's life will include a visitation on Friday, October 31st from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Furness Funeral Home in Clark. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the Clark Congregational Church with Pastor Fawn Lamb officiating.

Active Pallbearers are Mark Schmidt, DuWayne Dekker, Larry Kahnke, Danny Gehrke, Jeremy Elsen, Francis Hass, Keith Larson. Honorary Pallbearers are his 8 grandchildren, and all current and past Board Members of Glacial Lakes Energy.