Ralph Tegeler

RALPH TEGELER

Jesup

Ralph Tegeler, 93, passed away peacefully in his home on Father's Day, June 21, 2015.

He was born March 30, 1922, in Dubuque, Iowa, to Gerhard and Alma (Henning) Tegeler. He graduated from Xavier High School in Dyersville in 1939. In his early years he worked at a photo/ camera shop and then for J.C. Penney. When World War II broke out in 1941, he enlisted in the Navy. He served in the South Pacific as a radio man for 26 months and was on 13 invasions during that time. He was discharged in September 1945 and returned to Hawaii the day before the war ended. In his later years, after going on the Freedom Honor flight, he wrote of these memories and enjoyed sharing his writings and pictures with family and friends. He was very proud of his years in the service.

Ralph was united in marriage to Bernadette Reiter on May 6, 1947. He

transferred to work at J.C. Penney in Grinnell after they married. In 1951, he and his brother-in-law, Harold Wall, started a retail business in Jesup and named it the T & W Store. Harold moved to start a new store and Ralph continued on with the T &W until retirement. He and his wife also developed land on the south end of Jesup. They retired in 1986 and traveled to Arizona for many great winters.

He was a member of the American Legion, Lions, Knights of Columbus, and an original board member of the St. Athanasius Parish.

Ralph never lost his humor or spirit for life. He wanted everyone to know he "put up a good fight but finally had to give in."

He loved to sing, dance, golf, do woodworking and make wine. He also enjoyed a good game of bridge. Family and friends were of great importance.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Bernie; two daughters: Mary Kay (Jeff) Priem of Holmen, Wis., and their children, Megan (Jason) Grenz of Plymouth, Minn., Danielle Priem of Madison, Wis., and Michael Priem of Madison; and Susan Wright (Scott Douglas) of Cedar Rapids, her children, Ryan Tegeler (Chelsey Horak) of Omaha, Neb., and Allison Wright (finance Adam Richardson), and their children, David and Sophia Richardson.

Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow, on Thursday, June 25, at St. Athanasius Parish. Burial will be in St. Athanasius Cemetery, Jesup.

Memorial gifts may be given to Freedom Honor Flight, Gundersen Lutheran, St. Elizabeth or St. Athanasius.