Terry John Denault

Terry J. Denault, age 68, of Grafton, North Dakota, passed away Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Unity Medical Center of Grafton.

Terry John Denault was born November 8, 1957, in Cavalier, North Dakota, the son of the late John Joseph and June Judith (Johnson) Denault. His family moved frequently; therefore, he attended several area schools. Terry considered Deer Lodge, Montana, his childhood home. He went to work at a very young age in various potato houses as a young man no older than 15 years old, he worked day labor in Billings, MT, to assist in raising his siblings and financially supporting his family. Later he would move to Garrison, ND, where he worked for Cenex in the tire department.

He then moved to Park River, where he lived with his uncle and worked at Park River Potato and Burbidge Seed.

Terry was united in marriage to his first wife, Barbara Novak, and together the couple had two children: Tyrone and Melissa. They made their home in Fordville, ND. He began working for Associated Potato and construction trades during the off-season.

Terry was fortunate enough to find the love of his life and become united in marriage to Dianna Severson on November 5, 1993, in Cavalier, ND. The couple welcomed two children: Montana and Terry Ray. The couple made their home in Park River. In the early years of their marriage, it was at Hart Machine and Manufacturing, where he learned his true calling, teaching and mentoring many people the trade. He then joined the team at Harriston Industry, where he maintained several positions. Later, he became the manager for Ryan Potato in East Grand Forks for several years.

The couple moved to Grafton, he returning to his love, Hart Machine and Manufacturing, until the company’s closure; he became the wash plant manager at Campbell Farms for many years. During this time, they moved to Oakwood in 2009. Terry went back to Associated Potato Grower until he had to leave due to Chronic Kidney failure. He eventually regained enough strength through his strong will to return full-time at Associated Potato Growers Association for the final four month of his life.

He was a member of the Harley Owners Group, Walsh County Gun Club, and the National Rifle Association. He loved his family through and through. He made every effort to give his children the childhood that he never had. He was able to find humor in everything, good or bad, and always made his family feel safe. He was an avid baker and gardener. He enjoyed antiques and being a collector of many things from bikes both motorized and pedal, watches, guns; along with vintage toys he wasn’t fortunate enough to have as a child; canons, steam engines, western memorabilia. He was a huge collector of cars, owning many throughout his life. He enjoyed the outdoors, riding his motorcycles and fixing his cars as well as creating things with his hands. He had a childlike, whimsical nature about him when he was in his element working on his latest project.

Terry is survived by his wife, Dianna Denault, Oakwood, ND; his children: Tyrone (Rachel) Denault, Oakwood, ND; Melissa Denault (Brett Midgarden), Park River, ND; Leah Santos; Montana Denault, Grafton, ND; Terry R. Denault, East Grand Forks, MN; grandchildren: Zeek Denault (Grafton), Kayden and Karlene Schaf as well as Oskar Saurer; his sister Shelly (Dale) Johnson, St. Thomas, ND.

He is also survived by his uncle, aunts, nieces, and nephews as well as numerous cousins. We mustn’t forget his best friend and fur baby, Duke.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings: Marcel Denault Sr., Charlene (Roy) Swecker, and Gaylord Denault, maternal and paternal grandparents, and several aunts and uncles.

Funeral Services will be Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton. With a luncheon gathering to follow at the Heritage Village Center. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be at Union Cemetery, rural Osnabrock, North Dakota, in the spring.