E. Terry Roisum, 86 of Sioux Falls, SD died Sunday, August 14, 2022 at Centerville Care and Rehab, Centerville, SD. Visitation with the family present will be held Tuesday, August 30, 2022 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at George Boom Funeral Home and On-Site Crematory. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at First Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, SD. Interment will be held at Hills of Rest Cemetery, Sioux Falls, SD.
Erle, best known as Terry or Poppo, was born in Grand Forks, ND to Charles Webster and Geneva (Rood) Webster on April 24, 1936. Shortly after his birth, his parents divorced. His mom later married S. K. Roisum and Terry was adopted and became E. T. Roisum.
Terry grew up in Grand Forks, graduating from Central High School and the University of North Dakota where he was a Beta Theta Phi and sang with the Varsity Bards. Following graduation in 1959, he began his television career in Fargo as a cameraman, did the same in Rapid City, and finally came to Sioux Falls in 1960 as a camera man when KSOO-TV went on the air July 1, 1960. Being an artist, he also did graphics and became the art director for KSOO-TV. In those days, there were no computers, so all advertising for TV was done by hand. When Southeast Tech started their Graphic Communication program, Terry became the teacher and was there until his retirement in 2001. He served in the Army Reserves 1961 – 1965.
Terry was a singer with a beautiful tenor voice that he used as a charter member of the Sioux Emperian Barbershop Chorus. In late 1961, that chorus was joined by the Sioux Valley Hospital Nurses chorus, to become the Swing Ling chorus for the annual Sioux Empire Farm Show. One of the gals from the nurses’ chorus happened to be a student nurse, Dianne Newlon, from Pierre, SD, whom he wooed until she gave in. They were married August 31, 1963, in Pierre and spent their entire married life in Sioux Falls. To this union came four daughters: Robin, Michelle, Terri and Tiffany.
Terry was in the El Riad Shrine and a member of the El Riad Chanters chorus for many years. He also was editor of the El Riad Cactus monthly publication, taking it from black and white to color and winning many honors over the years. He was past president of the East Side Kiwanis, a member of the American Legion and past member of the Elks. He also sang for 53 years in the First Lutheran Church adult choir, where he was a member.
Terry’s artistic talents were featured in many areas. He designed sets for the annual barbershop shows; he loved doing caricatures which he did for the shrine, his doctors, pastors and friends. His lifelong dream of having a cabin on a lake was realized when they purchased a cabin on Lake Cochrane in 1995. Much of the summer was spent there with his dogs. He loved pelicans, which can be seen in abundance in the cabin. He could tell jokes for hours, especially Ole & Lena and did an awesome Jerry Lewis impersonation. Always smiling and singing! All in the family had their own special song, even the pets.
Dementia reared its head five years ago, and following a fall and fractured hip in May, Terry was placed in Centerville Care and Rehab Center and remained there until his passing on August 14, 2022.
Grateful for having shared his life are Dianne, his wife of almost 59 years; his four daughters, Robin Mellegaard, Sioux Falls, Michelle (Steven) Davis, Sioux Falls, Terri (Sam) Marinaro, Sioux Falls, Tiffany (Rob) Zeller, WestLake, FL. His grandchildren Hillary, Sydney, Gillian, Monroe, Karsten, Morgen, Teagan, Taylor and Zack, and great-grandchildren, Sienna, Everly, and Kehlani.
Terry was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, in-laws, many, many life-long and very dear friends, and his dogs that were waiting at the rainbow bridge.
In lieu of flowers, memorial condolences may be made to First Lutheran Church Music Ministry, El Riad Transportation Fund, or a charity of your choice.