Obituary of Anna Gertrude Tegeler

Anna G. "Annie" Tegeler, 86, of Dyersville died Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque. Visitation will be held from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12th Ave SW in Dyersville. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Jeffrey Dole will officiate. Anna was born June 18, 1929 in Frankfurt, Germany the daughter of Anton and Elisabeth Kohaut. She grew up in Schwanheim where she was known as Anneliese to her friends and family. After graduating from high school at the age of 16, her fluency in German and English led her to become a translator for the railroad. It was during this time that she met the love of her life, Herb Tegeler. Her parents, who were devout Catholics, refused to consent to their marriage until their family priest received a letter from the Dyersville parish assuring them that Herb was an honorable man. After gaining their approval, Annie and Herbie married on July 1, 1948 in Germany. Her decision to marry an American resulted in the loss of her German citizenship, so they were forced to leave. With sadness in their hearts, her parents watched as their only daughter moved 6000 miles away at the young age of 19. They did not reunite until 6 years later when she returned to visit with Herb and their first 3 children. She stood by her husband for 66 years supporting him and their family business, Tegeler Body and Frame. She and Herb will always be remembered for their love of dancing and dining with friends at local establishments. They loved the company of people and made friends easily. Material things were not nearly as important to her as her family and friends, who she would do anything for. Annie was a very proud woman who always dressed and acted like a lady, with the utmost manners. She took pleasure in reading and kept up with world history and events. Despite all the difficult times in her early life, she remained a very strong woman. She is survived by her 3 children: Janie Tegeler, Jesse (Amy) Tegeler and Sherry Krapfl, all of Dyersville, a daughter-in-law, Ellen Tegeler of Dyersville; 8 grandchildren: Tracy Tegeler, Tammy (John) Olberding, Scott Tegeler, Shelly (Ken) Hageman, Holly Tegeler, Josh Tegeler, Hunter (Alyssa) Krapfl and Kendall Krapfl; 10 great grandchildren: Kimberly & James Bartlett, McKenna, Cassidy, Shelby & Elizabeth Olberding, Kayli, Luke and Ike Tegeler and Payton Krapfl, her brother, Walter Kohaut of Frankfurt, Germany, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert G. Tegeler on June 2, 2015, one son, Daniel L. Tegeler on April 27, 2010, her parents: Anton and Elisabeth Kohaut, sister-in-law, Hannalore Kohaut, in-laws: William Tegeler, Alma (John) Manley, Edna (Ted) Madison, Earl (Rosemary) Tegeler and Elmer F. (LaVonne) Tegeler. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com