Date of death: 03/19/2020

Saint Meinrad Class: O 1953

Rev. Herbert L. Tegeler, 94, of Cascade, Iowa, passed away Thursday, March 19, 2020, after a lengthy illness at the Shady Rest Care Center. Due to the current coronavirus concerns, a private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Earlville, Iowa, with burial at St. Patrick Cemetery in Winthrop, Iowa. A public Memorial Mass will be held at a later date.

Fr. Tegeler was born September 22, 1925, at Dyersville, Iowa, the son of Leo and Veronica (White) Tegeler, of Dyersville. He attended Lamont High School. He graduated from Loras College in Dubuque and took his Theological training at St. Meinrad Seminary, St. Meinrad, Indiana. Fr. Tegeler was ordained on May 16, 1953, at Christ the King Chapel, Loras College by Rev. Archbishop Leo Binz.

He served as an associate pastor at various churches throughout Iowa including; St. Patrick’s, Tama and St. Boniface, Garwin from 1953-1956; St. Aloysius, Calmar from 1956-1957; Blessed Sacrament, Waterloo from 1957-1959; St Patrick’s, Colesburg from 1959-1960, St. Mary’s, Waverly from 1960-1965 and Sacred Heart, Dubuque from 1965-1969. Also during that time he taught Theology at Beckman High School.

He was appointed pastor of St. Joseph’s, State Center from 1969-1973 and Immaculate Conception, Elma from 1973-1980. In 1980, Fr. Tegeler joined the team ministry in Mason City, where he served for five years. He was named pastor of Immaculate Conception, Lansing in 1985. In 1993, he was named moderator of ACCW, Decorah Deanery. In 2000, he became pastor at St. Joseph’s, Earlville until his retirement October 1, 2010.

In his free time, Fr. Herb enjoyed pheasant hunting, going skiing with his nephews and nieces, bicycling, going for walks, playing golf until his 90’s, and was always up for a good card game of 500. Throughout his priesthood Fr. was always a soldier for Christ. His priority was for his parishioners and for the people who touched his life. This brought him great joy and remarkable peace. He thanked God each and every day of his life for his many blessings.

He is survived by his sister, Margie (Joe) Simms Stano, of Denver Colorado; a niece, Pam (Pat) Geraghty of Cedar Rapids; a cousin, Dr. Tom White of Cascade, who were his caregivers; and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews throughout the country, from Florida to Texas to Illinois to Colorado and Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers and their wives, Richard (Teresa), Harold (Dorothy), and Dr. Wayne (LaVonne) Tegeler; a sister, Thelma Broemmel and two brother-in-law’s Jim Simms and Frank Broemmel.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of the Shady Rest Care Center and Hospice of Dubuque, especially Courtney, for the care and kindness shown to Fr. Herb and his family.

Please share a memory of Father Herbert L. Tegeler at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.