William Teegarden

William "Mr. Tee" Teegarden, 89, died Sunday, April 15, 2007, at his home in Winona, MN. Bill was born June 4, 1917 in Knapp, WI to William and Ellen (Schulties) Teegarden. Bill graduated from Menomonie Wisconsin High School in 1935. He married Ruby Mogren on October 1, 1940 in Winona, MN. Bill worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps prior to serving as a postal clerk in the U.S. Navy during WWII. A brick commemorating his military service is at Veteran's Memorial Park in Winona.He worked for the U.S. Postal Service for a total of 35 years. After his "retirement" in 1972, Bill worked construction for Scharmer and Sons and drove cars for several local car dealerships. He also volunteered his time to helping local groups and citizens and spent many hours working at the YMCA Day Camp and delivering Meals on Wheels. Bill loved to tell stories about his adventures in the Civilian Conservation Corps, in the Navy, and in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, where he went on many canoe trips with family and friends. He loved to ride his bicycle around Winona. His second home was the Winona YMCA, where he was active in many activities, including the Senior Group in his later years. Bill was active in many sports and he enjoyed watching football, especially his beloved Green Bay Packers. He attended all family events and was proud of all of his family. He especially enjoyed watching the grandchildren and the many great-grandchildren grow up. He was an active member of St. Martin's Lutheran Church, American Legion Post #9, and the Railway Mail Clerk Association. Survivors include his wife, Ruby; two children, Bill (Teresa Spencer) Teegarden of Marietta, OH and Lois (Mark) Finney of St. Paul, MN; grandchildren, Eric (Angie) Teegarden, Richard (Heidi) Teegarden, Maren (Tim) Cruickshank, Zach (Sarah) Schmidt, Leah Schmidt, James Finney and David Finney; honorary grandchildren, Todd Graff and Laurie Ziliak; great-grandchildren, Ethan, Johanna, William, Carter, Caleb, Brady, Jacob, Maxwell, Ross and Micah; honorary great-grandchildren, Nathan, Samuel, Sophia and Hannah Graff; sister, Muriel Sawyer of Bowler, WI; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Thomas and Robert.