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Alice B. TerryNew: June 4, 2025. |
Alice Emily [Emaline] Bodine was born on May 13, 1899 in Denver, Colorado, the daughter of Adolph (1866-1931) and Selma Bodine (nee Nelson [Nissen], 1868-1960). Selma was born in Sweden and came to the United States when she was just 16 years old. Adloph was also born in Sweden. Adolph and Selma were married on May 23, 1891.
Alice was the fourth child of eight children, four boys and four girls. Her siblings were William, Aletha, Hazel. The first three children died in infancy. Next came Alice followed by Frank, Josephine, Edward, and Arthur. Alice graduated from West High School in Denver on June 5, 1918. "Her greatest desire was to be a teacher." (Hidden Heroine, by Girl Scout Junior Troop II 177, Mountain Shadows, pg. 1)
She attended Greeley Teachers College (now the University of Northern Colorado) and graduated in 1924. Her studies included home economics, foreign language, geography, and science. She sang in a gospel quartet at the Teachers College and was in the science club. Her student teaching assignment was at Greeley High School. She later attended the University of Denver Graduate school.
She taught at Wyatt School near Ault in Weld County, Pagosa Springs, and Byers before coming to Fort Logan School in 1932. At Fort Logan, her first assignment was as a teacher for "a fifth and sixth grade combination." The subjects she taught included science, geography, health, and penmanship.
In
1937 Alice along with another teacher were put in charge of the
summer school. In 1938 she became the principal of Fort Logan
School, saying "this was the greatest challenge of her life."
She was a generous and kind teacher who cared about her charges,
bringing "food and clothing to school for the needy students.
She personally tutored students who were having difficulty so
they could keep up with their class."
She made arrangements with the local bus and cab companies to take the students to intramural sports activities with other schools and paid for this transportation herself. She was a harsh disciplinarian, but the students respected her and knew that she cared about them. She also chaperoned students on many field trips and other activities. Alice Terry was loved by the community. She served as superintendent "her final year" (1960-61). She was also a "Camp Fire Girls Guardian" (sponsor).
She married Grant G. Terry (1910-1996) "in the gymnasium at Fort Logan School in May 1947. They had no children of their own but shared their home with an adopted daughter."
Alice Terry Elementary School in the Sheridan School District No. 2 (Sheridan, Colorado) is named for Alice. The school was built in 1958. In 1973 the park bordering Alice Terry Elementary was named in her honor.
"Of these two honors [the school and park]" Mrs. Terry said, "It is such a fine climax to my memories which are very precious and the love for boys and girls and their welfare, and for a better life will always be my greatest wish." (Hidden Heroine, page 2)
Alice Terry passed away on August 12, 1976 in Swedish Medical
Center. She is buried in Golden Cemetery in Golden, Colorado
next to her husband Grant Terry. Grant passed away in 1996.
Alice is survived by her adopted daughter Bonnie Schofield.
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