Wilfred Tegeler

On Wednesday, July 12, 2023, Wilfred Tegeler, loving husband, father, uncle, grandfather and great grandfather passed away at his home at the age of 93.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023, visitation will be from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, and funeral services will be held at 10:00 am at St. James Lutheran Church in Ganado, Texas.  Burial will be in the Ganado Cemetery.

Wilfred was born in Ganado, Texas on Thursday, September 12, 1929.  He was baptized on October 13, 1929 by Reverend A.C. Koeppe and confirmed on December 19, 1943.  On September 21, 1950 he married Evelyn Frances Cernota at Faith American Church in Bellaire, Texas.  He and his wife celebrated 69 years and 9 months of marriage.  He was a Guardian Angel to his wife in her later years.  Wilfred enjoyed visiting family and friends attending the cattle auction sales in Edna and El Campo.  He was one of the last members of the Ganado Feed Store Coffee Club.

As a devout member of St. James Lutheran Church, Wilfred offered his time and talents, serving Church Council and several committees. He was also an active member of the American Legion Hillyard-Yoast Post 346.  He served on the Rifle Honor Guard.  His favorite past time was raising cattle as a partner with Carl Zajicek and recently his son Rodney.  he also enjoyed picking hundreds of oranges and sharing them with family and friends.  He showed great love and compassion to his family and friends.

Wilfred joined the armed forces and served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army in Heilbronn, Germany.  An article stated that, "Wilfred Tegeler graduated from the 112th infantry Regiment's Non-Commissioned Office Academy.  He was selected to attend the school on the basis of his leadership, initiative, soldirerly knowledge, ability and military bearing.  the Infantry Division of which the 112th Regiment was a part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization force defending Western Europe.  As assistant squad leader with Company K, Cpl. Tegeler entered the Army in February, 1951"

Wilfred worked in many different jobs and occupations, including helping his dad on the farm, a "Soda Jerk" at Ratliff's Pharmacy.  He was notorious for trying to pack a quart of ice cream into a pint container, according to the late Mrs. Ratliff.  He was a "Rough Neck" at 17 working on Oil Drilling Derricks in East Texas.  He worked at ALCOA in Point Comfort for a short time.  Wilfred  partnered with Carl Zajicek in owning and operating the Southside Gulf Service Station from 1958 to 1979.  He served his loyal customers with pride, respect, and professionalism,  Their business was the second largest Farm Bureau Tire Sales in Texas.

He was preceded in death by his father Gus Tegeler, Sr., mother Ella Tegeler, his brother Harry tegeler, Sr., and niece Pat Tegeler Achley, brother Wilton Lee, and wife Jeanette, and their son Jay Tegeler, his brother Gus Tegeler, Jr. and brother-in-law Stanley Nelson, also his beloved wife Evelyn.

Wilfred is survived by his three sons; Donnie, Rodney and his wife Ida, Harlan and his wife Analee.  He is also survived by his six grandchildren, Clinton Tegeler, Krysta and her husband Jeremy Crist, Scott and his wife Brianna Tegeler, Stefany Schade, Shaye Walston, and Ashley and her husband Lloyd Kleiman; greatgrandchildren Colton and Abigail Tegeler, Westley Schade, and Brendyn, Dalten, and Lysette Walston, and Jacob and Samuel Kleiman,  also survived by his sister Elverna Nelson, who lives in Rogers, Arkansas.  He is also survived by 13 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the members of St. James Lutheran Church, the women of the church (WELCA), members of the American Legion Post 346, the Legion and members of the Ganado community for their prayers, encouragement, and love shown to Wilfred and family. 

Pallbearers will be: Brad Browning, Jeremy Crist, Clinton Tegeler, Scott Tegeler, Coulton Tegeler and Harry "Bubba" Tegeler, Jr. Honorary Pallbearers will be Wilfred's Beloved grandchildren as well as his great-grandchildren: Clinton Tegeler, Krysta and Jeremy Crist, Scott and Briana Tegeler, Stefany Schade, Shaye Walston, and Ashley and Lloyd Kleiman. Coulton Tegeler, Abigail Tegeler, Westley Schade, Brendyn Walston, Dalten Walston, Lysette Walston, Jacob Kleiman and Samuel Kleiman.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions be made to St. James Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 250 Ganado, TX 77962

Services have been entrusted to Russell Todish of Ganado Funeral Home, 800 S. Third St., Ganado, Texas 77962

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wilfred Tegeler, please visit our floral store.