Tegeler, Jeffrey J. 'Teg'

Jeffrey J. “Teg” Tegeler, 57, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at home, “The Barn,” after a courageous battle with cancer on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. The visitation will be Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Memorial service and Celebration of Life will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, with Father Mark Osterhaus officiating. There will be an additional visitation one hour before the church service.

He is survived by his wife, Michelle; two daughters, Jocelyn (Todd) Wilgenbusch and Kelsey Tegeler; a son, Jared Tegeler; stepson, Dalton Sturtz; stepdaughter, Delaney Sturtz; and five grandchildren, Malik, Emerson, Owen, Kaleb and Nolan. Survivors also include his parents, John and Kay Tegeler; five siblings, Tim (Barb) Tegeler, Nick (Karie) Tegeler, Kathy (Mike) Greve, George (Pam) Tegeler and Mary Margaret (Donn) Stoner; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Jeff was born Jan. 14, 1953, in Camp Polk, La. He grew up on his family farm near Manchester, Iowa and graduated from West Delaware High School in 1971. He then attended Morrison Institute of Technology in Morrison, Ill., graduating in 1973. In 1983, Jeff started Tegeler Design & Remodeling in Manchester, later expanding to the Cedar Rapids area. He grew the business to one of the areas premier kitchen design and remodeling centers before selling in 2005. He then concentrated in home building, specializing in log homes. He was able to realize one of his dreams by restoring a 100-year-old barn and turning it in to an exquisite residence which was a featured home in the 2007 Parade of Homes. He and Michelle spent countless hours decorating and furnishing their dream home.

Jeff was a volunteer firefighter for 15 years in Manchester. He was a board member and a past president of the Cedar Rapids Home Builders Association as well as the Homebuilders Association of Iowa. He was also on the board of directors of the National Association of Home Builders.

Jeff loved his motorcycles and is also survived by his riding buddies, The Fugawees. He enjoyed numerous trips to Red Lodge, Mont., Sturgis, S.D., and many other areas of the country.

He was a wonderful father and grandfather and will be missed greatly. Michelle and Teg crowded a lifetime of memories into their short time together and shared so many adventures together riding motorcycles and boating on the Mississippi. Teg touched so many lives, all those he came in contact with. “We'll miss you good buddy!”

In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial fund in Jeff's name.

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