Derek J. Ternes

Derek John Ternes, 34, Bismarck, died on June 26, 2012. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday at 10:30 AM at Church of Corpus Christi in Bismarck with Rev. Paul Becker officiating. Burial will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, and will continue on Monday one hour prior to the service at the church. Derek was born on March 6, 1978, to DuWayne and Sharon Eckroth Ternes in Bismarck. He attended Bismarck Public schools graduating from Century High School in 1996. He was involved in Boy Scouts, wrestling and football as a student and became involved in weight lifting and working out in his senior year. He attended UND, graduating in 2001 with a degree in biology. While at UND, he worked part-time at a nutrition store. After graduating, Derek lived and worked in Minneapolis for a year where he earned his World Certified Personal Fitness Training Certificate. He returned to Bismarck to be closer to family. Because of his desire to help people, he opened Nutri Sport in 2002. Seeing a need, one year later he opened his dream gym, Optimum Fitness. His motto "if you look good, you feel good and if you feel good you look good" was part of the success of the business. Derek married Lacey Scherr on May 27, 2005. The joy of his life, their daughter, Messina, was born the following year. After selling the gym, Derek went back to the University of Mary to pursue a nursing degree. He obtained his CNA certification and worked briefly at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center where he loved working with the elderly. Most recently, he was taking a break from courses and worked construction for the summer. Derek was a quiet gentle person when he was not troubled. As a youngster, he loved snuggling with the Keeshond puppies that he helped raise. Smokey was always excited for him to come home from college. Derek's desire for knowledge always kept him seeking to learn more. He loved learning about dinosaurs, fossils and rocks and this love he shared with his daughter. He said often that being a Dad was his biggest accomplishment in life and he was a wonderful father. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, and riding motorcycle. He will be forever missed by his daughter, Messina; his former wife, Lacey; his parents, DuWayne and Sharon; his brother, Todd Ternes Sarah Neigum; and many aunts and uncles, cousins and friends, including his best friend, Sam Severin. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ambrose and Theresa Ternes, John and Ethel Eckroth, and aunts and uncles. Memorials may be given to Medcenter One School of Nursing, University of Mary Nursing Program, or Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch.

Derek J. Ternes

March 6, 1978 - June 26, 2012