10/29/60 - 1/15/2021

Terri Ellen McNiel, age 60, of Papillion NE, passed peacefully on January 15, 2021, after a 5-year battle with breast cancer.

She was born on October 29, 1960 at Sartori Hospital in Cedar Falls IA, the firstborn of William and Judith (Terry) McNiel.

Her pre-school years were in Harlan, IA and Wayne, NE. She finished her schooling at Jefferson H.S. where she was a J-Hawk Mat Maid. She was married to John Thomas Zehr in August, 1987. They later divorced.

She graduated from Iowa State University in 1989 with a BS in Elementary Education. She spent the next 25 years with OPS, teaching at Saratoga and Prairie Wind. She was devoted to teaching and loved her students. Teaching was her life.

Terri enjoyed gardening and decorating her home. She never passed up a garage sale, thrift shop, or an interesting rock. She was supported and loved by longtime partner, Sherrard Wiese.

She is survived by her parents, William and Judith; sister, Kelly Ann (Heath Ayers); nephew, William Ellis; uncle, Robert (JoAnn) McNiel, all of Cedar Rapids; uncle, Phil (Patty) Terry of Underwood, IA; cousins, Molly (Michael), Stephanie (Chris), Jessica, Rachel (Chris), and Joel; and her partner, Sherrard Wiese and his family, Tom (Marcy), Miranda, Caitlin, Michelle Bauer, Jennifer Margheim, and William Wiese.

She was preceded by grandparents, Harold and Laura May (Miller) Terry, and Mickey and Nora (Snodgrass) McNiel; and uncle, Harlyn A. Terry.

Terri loved life and teaching. She moved through life listening to her own drummer with her own song.

In her memory, think kind thoughts, plant a flower, or rescue a lost animal.

VISITATION with the family at the Mortuary on Friday, January 22, from 4-7pm.

KAHLER-DOLCE MORTUARY

441 N. Washington St. Papillion, NE

402-339-3232

www.kahlerdolcemortuary.com