Henderson, MN - Terry Lee Bovee of Henderson, MN, died peacefully from heart surgery complications, June 21st, 2025.

Terry filled his 78 years: rascal, draftsman, Vietnam/Navy, U of M Soil Science graduate, soil scientist, LeSueur County Planning and Zoning administrator, State of MN source water protection planner, self-employed soil scientist, wetland delineator. He was a communicator, an advocate, a teacher, a student, a dad, a loving life partner, and a friend. Terry connected with his communities through the LeCenter Lion's Club, Henderson's Historical Car Association and Joseph R. Brown history center, Minnesota Association of Professional Soil Scientists, and The Nature Conservancy at Ottawa Bluffs. Terry grew into the person he was by responding to his sense of wonder and his desire to learn. He quickly focused on the dynamics of earth systems, specifically soil science. Soil scientists read the landscape, study criteria, and record it in a practical form as a map. It's a science and an art. Every year in the summer, the soil survey crews gathered for a day of field study followed by a feast. Friendships were made. Terry further developed practical skills in communicating the value of healthy sustainable, land choices working at LeSueur County Planning and Zoning. The county's many lakes added another dimension of protection. In 1998, Terry began working with another group of science-minded people, this time with wellhead protection, helping communities to make land use decision to best preserve water quality. More friendships were made. As a self-employed soil scientist and water planner, he would provide clear and specific detail to communities, contractors, and land owners to ensure well-informed decisions. He always took the time to answer any questions, wanting people to achieve their goals. With confidence and talent, his work at the County and State levels kept him close to the Land and shaped a lifelong advocacy. And he was such a nerd that, in his downtime, he monitored the daily rainfall and stream quality with loving attention to detail. Terry as a family man was an adventure. Summers meant packing up the station wagon and cargo pod, heading west for a few weeks. One trip to Yellowstone in early October, resulted in waking up to snow on the tents. Reta and Jack pleaded with their dad, "Go talk to Mom!" Terry, fortified with a park ranger, convinced Kim to leave the campground and pivot to stay in a motel in Jackson Hole and a hike in the Grand Tetons. While camping was out of the question upon returning to Yellowstone, a stay at the Old Faithful Inn was a treat. In the parking lot Terry and Kim had the legendary beanies and weanies argument. He wanted to eat in the restaurant which wasn't affordable while Kim was cooking supper on the camp stove in the parking lot. Dinner was snuck in, tummies were filled, and the family enjoyed the rest of the lodge experience. Trout fishing on Saturday mornings is a passion for Terr, Kim, and Katie. After one year of being unable to go, Kim was ready again, so jazzed but the garage door wouldn't open. This was discovered at 6:30am. Kim didn't panic, just told Terry, who called his friend Jerry who picked up his son on the way over. The three hoisted the door open and by 7:15am, Kim drove off to the stream. If there was a need in community or family or friends, Terry was there, responding and doing what he could to support in our achievement with great love. Cars also captured his imagination. Many years ago, Terry was driving Katie and the family dog Lucy to the 4-H Regional Dog Show near Dodge Center. The truck called to him in the farm field. There was no money, and no real ability or experience in favor of getting the truck. Yet he reached, and, with his family's support and years of persistence, he dreamed his truck into a work of art and made close friends along the way. The beautiful brown truck (the color of oak leaves in the Fall), was complete and became a whole new venture to expand his community in his manner; with respect, support, encouragement, appreciation. "Tell me, what is it you plan to do- With your one wild and precious life?" Mary Oliver

Terry is preceded in death by parents, Wayne and Dorothy Bovee and in-laws, Bob and Mary Gordenier. He is survived by Kim, wife of almost 44 years; children Jack, Reta, and Katie; grandchildren Cayle and Maggie Lind; sister Iona "Tunie" (Jerry) Meyer; brothers-in-law Terr Gordenier and Todd, Ellen, Sarah, Annie, Ben Gordenier; and Esther, Dave, Sophia, Sienna Gormley. Visitation (3pm) and services (4pm) will be held at Zion UCC in LeSueur, MN on July 18th. Please send Memorials to MinnPost and University of Minnesota CFAN- Land Grant Legacy Scholarship.