Terry Muelken

The D’ Allis Man

Husband, Father, Grandfather, Restorer of Allis Chalmer Tractors, Owned and operated a craft and gift shop

Terry was diagnosed at age 77. He had an aggressive tumor and underwent surgery. When he found out about the kidney cancer ribbon being orange, he was excited because Allis Chalmers tractors are orange.

We invited Terry and his family to bring some of the restored tractors to Break the Bank. The tractors were a big hit with a climb 4 kidney cancer license plate. Many kids and their families took a photo on and around the tractors.

Unfortunately the cancer recurred and Terry passed away in 2022. His granddaughter and Climb 4 Kidney Cancer member remembers this about her grandfather.

“He was an avid Allis Chalmers tractor collector. He spent lots of time with family and friends while enjoying countless moments with his grandkids! He enjoyed all things farming related that reminded him of his youth growing up on the farm with his siblings. Most importantly, his life was fulfilled by spending time with his beautiful wife of nearly 60 years.”

Read about our climb for Terry

Sporting the D' Allis man hat on top of Black Tusk

Tribute by his granddaughter

“Terry had kidney cancer for about 3 years, initially diagnosed in 2019. He had a right sided nephrectomy with Dr. Weight in November right after diagnosis. He loved tractors and his family more than anything. He had a prideful collection of orange Allis Chalmers tractors, over 35, all restored. He was the best friend and would give the shirt off his back to a complete stranger. He was a loyal man and made friends with everyone. He loved my grandma for 49 years and fought like heck to stay by her side forever. He loved spending time with his 3 kids, 9 grandchildren and two great grandkids! He could always be found riding on something. He loved god and knew exactly where he was going! He is truly and deeply missed every single day.”

Speaking of Break the Bank Climb 4 Kidney Cancer in Minneapolis 2023 she remembered, “When we attended this event 4 years ago for the first time my grandpa offered to debut his orange tractor, which naturally was the kidney cancer “color” at the event. He was overwhelmingly proud of his tractor and got to show it off. For a day, his kidney cancer brought him joy, a connection to new people, a love towards people that cared about him, for him, and had something in common with him in this disease. Today, after 4 years since our last climb and almost 18 months after saying goodbye to our special guy, we took to the stairs again. Today’s climb was so bitter sweet, on one hand I got to bring my kids for the first time to grow and experience, we got to gather with people all fighting for more awareness, more research, and ultimately more time, and we got to laugh together as we spent the day with gramps on our minds. The bitter part, was the obvious void, the heaviness in our hearts that realized that the only thing that brought us to know and care for this climb, was now missing. For my patients, for my family, for my friends, and most importantly for my grandpa, we will continue to fight, continue to raise awareness and funds for research, and most importantly continue to climb and remember the more stairs we climb the closer we get to him in heaven. We plan to continue this climb and head back each year… we need you to join our team, climb with us, and help us continue to turn our grief into something beautiful. Climb 4 Kidney Cancer.”