Teresa L Wicklund
This is not a ploy to avoid creditors or ex-boyfriends: Terri Lynn Wicklund (Hoyt) has passed away at the age of 66, shocking all who loved her by being ahead of schedule for the first time in her life!
Terri was born in Pepin, Wisconsin to Buster and Donna Andrews. She spent much of her childhood going on the milk route with her father. She likely endured many “dad jokes.” One of the classics goes something like this: “Here’s to the girl who lives on the hill. She won’t do it, but her sister will. Here’s to her sister!”
She graduated from Pepin High in 1977. Her first job was working at the A&W restaurant in town; roller skates and all! Unfortunately, the root beer stand burned down while Terri was in high school. She has sworn up and down that she wasn’t working there at this time. However, she also once said she returns her shopping cart to the corral every single time, so who knows!
After high school, she became an employee of the Pepin fish market. She told them she would be committed and dedicated to this job. This type of work entailed a lot of slime, ooze, and of course, fish poop. Although she wanted to persevere, her fishmonger days lasted only one week!
It was then time to figure out her passion in life: nursing. She started as a CNA in the Durand nursing home in 1982 while she went to nursing school. She graduated from Red Wing Tech in 1984. She had many nursing jobs throughout her life: Buffalo Medical Center in Mondovi, Dove Health Care in Eau Claire, Heatherwood Assisted Living in Eau Claire, and Eagles Rest Assisted Living in Pepin. She also dabbled in medical records in Mondovi, as well as in nursing home administration in Fairchild.
She married the legend Gary Hoyt in 1982, and they raised three children together: Jenny, Jeremy, and Gina. Although Gina gave her the most gray hair, she loved all her children so! When you ask someone who their favorite child is, you’d think they’d pick one of their own. However, it is quite likely that Terri may have chosen her grandson Brody! She helped care for him as a child, which she would have attributed to part of her legacy. She certainly adored her grandchildren: Brody Bechel, Avery Lietzau, Viola Lietzau, Haro Hurlburt, Havik Hurlburt, Jase Lietzau, and Hazel Hurlburt. After 36 years of marriage, her husband Gary passed. In 2021, she remarried. She is also survived by her ex-husband, Steve Wicklund.
When your own time comes and you pass through the pearly gates, look for Terri. She will either be scrolling Temu looking for new dresses (likely buying the same outfit three times because she likes it so much), watching Golden Girls and Nurse Jackie, or reveling in the fact that she just stole someone’s pen. Stealing small objects came naturally to her. It’s been a little-known secret that her Mom Donna and Aunt Fern had done this all their lives. If you would have searched any of their homes, you’d likely have found ash trays, candle holders, and small glasses from many local restaurants!
Throughout the years, Terri’s family has learned one thing: you have to laugh through the tears; there’s no other way! Please do that with us on Saturday, November 8th at Rhiel Funeral Home in Durand, Wisconsin. Visitation will be at 10:00am and funeral service at 11:00am.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.