Terri Cordrey, 54 of Clark, passed away on January 18, 2026. Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Clark at 11:00 A.M. A meal and time of fellowship immediately followed the service in the church fellowship hall. Visitation was held the evening prior, Friday, January 23, 2026, from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. at Furness Funeral Home in Clark.
Terri Cordrey lived a life defined by purpose, service, laughter and an unwavering devotion to the people she loved. Born on March 30, 1971, at Kingsbury County Memorial Hospital in Lake Preston, S.D., Terri was the beloved daughter of Ray and Carol (Kuhn) Cordrey. From the very beginning, she carried a spark that would grow into a lifetime of leadership, kindness and joyful determination.
Terri was raised on a farm outside Bryant, S.D., where her love for the outdoors was cultivated early. She could often be found helping her father on the farm, tending the garden alongside her mother or roaming the countryside with her siblings—building forts, exploring fields and creating memories that would last a lifetime. Just down the road lived her lifelong best friend, Staci, and together they embarked on countless adventures, a friendship rooted in childhood that grew stronger with every passing year.
Education was both Terri's calling and her legacy. She attended elementary school in Bryant and graduated from Hamlin High School before earning her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Huron University and her Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from South Dakota State University. Teaching, mentoring and empowering others were not just what Terri did—they were who she was.
Her professional journey reflected her passion for education and service. Terri served as Project Director for the Title II Part A Grant, School Improvement Specialist at Northeast Educational Services Cooperative, and Program Representative with the South Dakota Department of Education. In February 2012, she joined Lake Area Technical College as the TAA Grants Manager. She later became Curriculum Administrator in 2021, and in 2022, she stepped into her role as Director of Corporate Education. Through every position she held, Terri uplifted others, quietly shaping futures and opening doors with wisdom, integrity and heart.
Terri's commitment to leadership extended well beyond her profession. She was an active and devoted leader in delta Kappa Gamma, serving as Kappa Chapter President and South Dakota State President from 2019-2021. Her service also included roles as State Newsletter Co-Editor, Communications Chair and State Webmaster. In 2025, she received the prestigious Alpha Pi State Achievement Award—an honor reflecting the impact of her dedication at both the state and international levels.
A faithful member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Terri served her church with humility and devotion. She was a former church council president and gave her time generously as a member of the Altar Guild, Chime Choir, Board of Education and many other roles. Her faith guided her life, and her actions reflected God's love in ways both quiet and profound. As a godparent to many nieces and nephews, Terri left a lasting spiritual imprint—one rooted in love, example and grace.
Terri spent many hours volunteering and was a cornerstone of her community. In 2021, she was honored as Clark Chamber Volunteer of the Year, a recognition that perfectly captured her heart for service. A proud member of Spudniks, she played a key role in organizing Arts in the Park and local vendor fairs, bringing people together and strengthening the community she loved so deeply.
Those who knew Terri knew this to be true: She showed up. Always. She was fully present, dependable without question and honest with kindness. Terri led by example—with a servant's heart, a steady hand and a quiet strength that inspired trust and admiration.
Outside of her many accomplishments, Terri was a woman of deep thoughtfulness and joyful spirit. She never missed a meaningful milestone and always placed others—especially her parents—first. She was intelligent, witty, passionate and wonderfully herself. Her greatest loves were her faith, her family and her friends, her beloved cat Emmy, higher education, reading, gardening and sewing beautiful pieces with care and creativity. Emmy, her cherished fur baby, matched Terri's energy perfectly and was a constant source of companionship and joy.
Terri was easy to talk to, always ready for an adventure and never shy about planning the next trip—especially with her dear friend Staci and her sister, Beth. She was stubborn in the best way, sassy without apology and famous for a well-timed, unapologetic eye roll. Her laughter filled every room she entered, her presence was unmistakable, and her heart was larger than life.
Terri will be remembered for her kindness, her leadership and her selfless dedication to others. Her legacy lives on in the community she helped shape, the church she faithfully served and the countless lives made better simply because Terri was there. Though her presence is deeply missed, the imprint she left is everlasting. Her beautiful smile, generous spirit and radiant soul will never be forgotten.
Terri is survived by her loving parents, Ray and Carol Cordrey of Watertown; her sister, Joyce (Tom) Schoenfelder of Lincoln, Neb.; nephews Mark Schoenfelder; Joe (Deirdre) Schoenfelder and their children Addison, Emerson, Kennason and Kylason; and Mitch (Norah) Schoenfelder and their children Daisy, Annie and Theodore. She is also survived by her brother Ray Cordrey of Corsica and nephew Ray Gene; brother Stan (Cathy) Cordrey of Hermosa; and nieces and nephews Val (Ryan) Lee and children Logan, Landon and Liam; Sam (Travis) Eastman and children Lauren and Huntley; Jamie (Nathan) Cordrey; Robert Karel; and Daisy Jutting and children Riley, Carter and Madyson. She is further survived by her sister Beth (Wes) Koehler of Rosholt and nieces and nephews Lee (Noelle) Koehler and children Jameson and Palmer; Ben (Michelle) Koehler and children Levi and Tucker; and Christi (Randy) Grant and daughter Gracie. Terri is also lovingly remembered by her Colorado family: Staci (Grant) Stone, Gannon Scudder (Jen and children Easton, Nora, and Skylar), Amada Haeberle (Vishnu Iyer), Meghan Haeberle (Zach Colter); and Marit.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents Kenneth and Martha (Fuhrer) Cordrey, Norm and Rosemary (Kagey) Armstrong, Charles Kuhn and her great-nephews Brantley and Granger Eastman and great-nieces Berkley and Raylynn Koehler.
Terri's life was a gift—and her love will continue to bloom in the hearts of all who knew her.
