Terry Lynn Olsufka

A devoted wife, mother, and nana, Terry Olsufka (nee Sasser) was born February 27, 1937 to Ennis Elbert and Esther Sasser (nee Williams), and passed away on May 16, 2024 at the age of 87. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jerry Dockweiler, sisters Vicki and Lea, brothers Ennis Earl, Douglas, and Kelly, and daughter Sherry. 

Terry is survived by her husband Cliff Olsufka, children Debbie (Greg) Jones, Robin (Darren) Cunningham, Kelly (Mandy) Dockweiler, grandchildren Nicholas, Travis, Chyanne, Abby, and James, sister-in-law Joyce Hein, and numerous extended family members.

Terry grew up in the Houston, TX area. She also lived in Omaha, NE; Salt Lake City, UT; Garland and Nevada, TX. Professionally, she worked as a nurse, owned a beauty salon, was a wine coordinator for local restaurants, and even ran several businesses out of her home at different times, including a day care, a gift-wrapping business, and a bakery/confectionery.

Terry was shaped by several painful tragedies and challenges in her life, including being separated from her parents and siblings as a child and being raised by a foster family, the estrangement from the young children of her first marriage, the death of her second husband in a tragic accident and subsequent single motherhood, and the death of her daughter Sherry in mid-life.

In Omaha, Terry knew Clifford Olsufka as a bass-player and singer in a local country band. As time passed, he eventually won her heart, and they spent many music-filled nights with friends at the club where he played. Eventually, they were married and enjoyed 38 years of a loving, happy marriage.

An avid gardener for years, Terry was passionate about growing vegetables and eating healthy—and especially making sure Cliff did. She was also known for her delicious Mexican cooking, taught to her by a dear friend, as well as her absolutely delectable cakes, pies, cobblers, and chocolates, which graced the tables of birthday and holiday celebrations for many years. Famously thrifty, she was a super bargain-hunter, with an exceptional eye for quality. Estate sale shopping was a long-time hobby, with many happy memories made “going to houses” with her grandson Nicholas in his youth.

Terry was delighted when, in 2008, she and Cliff “bought their acreage” and moved out to a beautiful home in the country, a long-held dream. Several other special joys came later in life when, after extensive genealogy research by her daughter Robin, Terry was reunited with her brother Kelly, additional extended family members, and especially Debbie, her daughter from her first marriage.

Terry was loved by her family and will be missed dearly. The family is especially grateful to the many caregivers, therapists, nurses, and doctors, who cared for her in the final 17 months of her life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Coventry Reserve, a charity near and dear to Terry’s heart, at coventryreserve.org.