Donald J. Tegels

Donald J. Tegels. age 87, of Fonda, Iowa died on September 26, 2022, at his residence in rural Fonda. Funeral Mass will be held Monday, October 3, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Fonda, Iowa. Burial will be in the Mount Zion Catholic Cemetery in Fonda. Visitation will take place Sunday, October 2, 2022 from 4-6:00 p.m. with a prayer vigil at 6:00 p.m., all at the CHURCH. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children's Hospital by clicking on the following link: https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now. Donald Joseph Tegels was born on June 8, 1935 to Andrew and Regina Tegels. He grew up on a farm near Fonda. He was baptized in Christ and confirmed in the Catholic Faith at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Don received his education at the country school and OLGC school. He received his 12th grade GED in the U.S. Army. Don served two terms in the Army from 1957-1959, then was recalled and served in Korea from 1961-1962. Don was then honorably discharged from the Army. Don was united in marriage to Bernadine Duncan on October 12, 1963. The couple was blessed with three children: Michael, Michelle, and Mark. Don and Bernadine were approaching 59 years of marriage on October 12th. All of his life, Don worked in farming, construction, and with heavy equipment. Don also worked as a Double A welder for several years at Nobles in Sac City, Iowa. Don worked for Pocahontas County for 23 years. He then worked for Wells Brothers trucking for eight years. Don was very active in the Fonda community and served on the fire department. He belonged to the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans. He served as school board President for Our Lady of Good Counsel. In his free time, he loved riding his motorcycle and belonged to GWRR and Western Cycle Club. More than anything, Don enjoyed being with his family. He was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather. He loved watching his children and grandchildren play sports. Don will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He is survived by his beloved wife, Bernadine (Duncan) Tegels of Fonda, Iowa; children: Michael (Lisa) Tegels of Urbandale, Iowa; Michelle (Stuart) Tegels Giegling of Moseley, Virginia; Mark Tegels of Urbandale, Iowa; grandchildren: Elin Tegels of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Joe Tegels of Urbandale, Iowa; Cade Giegling, Chase Giegling, and Cole Giegling of Moseley, Virginia; Drew Tegels and Lauren Tegels of Urbandale, Iowa; nieces and nephews; extended family and friends. Don was preceded by his parents, Andrew and Regina Tegels; brothers: Robert (Bob), Leonard and Reuben; sisters: Phyllis (Tegels) Redlinger and Dorothy (Tegels) Heisterkamp; parents-in-law: Bernard and Mary Duncan; brothers and sisters-in-law: Ray Redlinger; Edgar Heisterkamp; Maude (Bob) Tegels; Lillian (Leonard); Louis Demers; Curt Erickson; Louis and Evelyn Duncan; Norene (Duncan) Didier; James (Jim) Duncan; and niece: Kim (Tegels) Ellis.

Donald J. Tegels

June 8, 1935 - September 26, 2022