Terry Alkire

Terry Lee Alkire was born February 22, 1949 to Glenn (Bud) and Alyce Alkire. He was raised on his family’s 200-acre dairy farm near Milaca MN along with his four brothers. There was always plenty of work to be done but “boys will be boys”, and waywardness was easily instigated. His mother Alyce still lives on the farm.

Terry graduated from Milaca High School in 1967. He entered the United States Army in August that same year and went through basic training in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. After basic training, he was ordered to serve in Vietnam but was quickly reassigned to Korea as a result of the Pueblo incident. He served in Korea in 1968 and 1969. He returned to Fort Hood, Texas and was discharged in June 1970.

Terry was married to Sharon Lamprecht on February 13, 1971. They had two sons, Brent (Angie) and Brandon (Janelle), and would later welcome seven grandchildren, Grant Alkire (Jolene), Emma Alkire (Trevor), Lauren Alkire, Chase Peterson, Alexis Alkire (Gavin), Caden Alkire and Hannah Alkire.

Terry was a school bus driver and mechanic for Sharon’s dad and in the summer of 1971 bought a bulk milk truck and hauled for the Bock Creamery for five and a half years. In 1976 he sold the milk truck to attend college at St. Cloud State University graduating in 1980 with a degree in economics. During college, Terry began driving a petroleum transport for several local companies. Little did he know this would one day lead to a big opportunity.  He soon took a job as transportation supervisor for Ogilvie schools and continued there for close to 10 years. In 1991 and 1992 he went back to driving school bus and petroleum transport, this time for Sue’s Bus Service and Eggen’s Direct Service.

That big opportunity came in early 1994. Terry and his sons purchased land in Princeton, MN where they built Circle 9, a gas station/convenience store with a car wash. They were very hands on during the construction doing much of the work themselves. Terry, the boys and Brent’s wife Angie ran the station for close to 29 years selling the business in January 2023. They purchased another small gas station, Bock Garage, in November 2020 which they continue to operate.

Terry had a lifelong love of running (playing with) big equipment. He and the boys own 2 CAT dozers, a Komatsu loader and a gravel truck. Whether playing around in the gravel pit, hauling dirt or removing snow, he always had a smile on his face if he was sitting in the cab of any of these machines. Terry also very much loved playing cowboy with his cousin and best friend Monte (a real cowboy). Times he held very near to his heart. He loved his family dearly. Later in life, Terry learned to play the guitar and played for many friends and family. Terry was an avid golfer. He was a longtime member of Stone’s Throw golf course in Milaca and competed on the Wednesday night men’s league. He played every chance he got and when the Minnesota winters prevented him from playing, he found new courses to play in Arizona near Wickenburg and Bullhead City. He spent many enjoyable winters in the mild desert weather where he had many friends and family visit.

Terry is survived by his wife Sharon of 53 years, sons Brent (Angie) and Brandon (Janelle), his seven grandchildren, his mother Alyce, brother Darwin (Shirley), sister-in-law Susan (Doug) and many other friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his father Bud and 3 brothers Marty, Tim and Paul.