Robert M. Tegeder
Robert M Tegeder
BRANCH OF SERVICE
U.S. ArmyHOMETOWN
Minneapolis, MNHONORED BY
American Battle Monuments CommissionACTIVITY DURING WWII
SERVED WITH QM CORPS WWII- RECIPIENT OF ARMY COMMENDATION RIBBON.Honoree Arrangements By Joseph E. Tegeder (Grandson)
Author / Financial Manager
Robert M. Tegeder, 87 of Apple Valley, died early Monday February 28, 2000. Survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara (Norblom) and by children Robert Tegeder, Jr. and wife Rufina of Englewood, CO; James D. Tegeder and wife Marlene of Holly Springs, NC; and Barbara Bahn and husband Charles of Apple Valley, MN; by ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Survived also by brothers, Rev. Vincent Tegeder, OSB, of St. John’s Abbey, Collegeville, MN; Clarence Tegeder (Ruth) of Duluth, MN; Leroy Tegeder (Ruth) of Sun City, AZ; William Tegeder (Mary) of Sun City, AZ; and sister Mary Chatelaine of Brooklyn Park, MN as well as numerous nieces and nephews, including the Rev. Michael Tegeder, pastor of St. Edwards Catholic Church in Bloomington, MN.
He was born in Northeast Minneapolis in 1912, the second son of William and Hilda Tegeder. He attended De La Salle High School and Notre Dame University. He retired in 1977 after 39 years as Secretary of Hennepin-Minneapolis Council 435 of the Knights of Columbus, and Faithful Comptroller of the Nicollet Assembly, Fourth Degree. He was Minnesota State Secretary for the Knights from 1954-1958. He was the founder and manager of the Father Hennepin Credit Union until 1977. He was also a charter member of the Fort St. Charles Trustees and Restoration Committee and served in that capacity for over 50 years. He served as Chairman from 1972 until 1988. He is the author of the REDISCOVERY AND RESTORATION OF FORT ST. CHARLES, published in 1982.
He was an avid supporter of the Catholic Boys Home and the Sisters of Charity over the years and chose to be a visitor/companion to residents of the Soldiers Home in Minneapolis making weekly visitations there for over 37 years.
He served in the US Army in World War II and was a member of Post 1776 of the
American Legion in Apple Valley, MN. He was also a member of the Notre Dame
Alumni Club, the, the Dakota County Historical Society, the Fort Snelling
Restoration Committee and the Minnesota Genealogical Society. He is the author
of some twelve genealogical histories of related members of his family group and
performed genealogical services for numerous friends and acquaintances. He is a
listed author of some 32 works and documents in the United States Library of
Congress.
Mass of Christian burial 11 AM Friday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (Hwy. 3) in Rosemount, MN, with visitation Thursday from 6-8 PM at the White Funeral Home (14560 Pennock Ave.), Apple Valley, MN and 1 hour prior to Mass at church. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials will be donated to the Fort St. Charles Trustees of the Minnesota Fourth Degree, Knights of Columbus, or to the donor’s choice. (See Fort St. Charles) http://www.entreeltd.com/fortStCharles.htm
(Based on preparation by Robert M Tegeder, Sr. July, 1999 and adds and edits by James D. Tegeder February 28, 2000)
Pall Bearers:
Doug Nowiki, Rob, James, Joseph, Daniel, Thomas and Jay Tegeder, Michael Student, and Dave & John Chatelaine
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL March 3, 2000
ROBERT MARTIN TEGEDER
Mass Celebrants: Fr. Michael Tegeder & Fr. Vincent Tegeder OSB
Comments & Scripture Presented By Fr. Michael Tegeder
FIRST READING:
A READING FROM THE BOOK OF SIRACH
NOW WILL I PRAISE THOSE GODLY PEOPLE, OUR ANCESTORS, EACH IN THEIR OWN TIME:
THESE WERE GODLY PEOPLE WHOSE VIRTUES HAVE NOT BEEN FORGOTTEN; THEIR WEALTH REMAINS IN THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR HERITAGE WITH THEIR DESCENDANTS; THROUGH GOD’S COVENANT WITH THEM THEIR FAMILY ENDURES, THEIR POSTERITY, FOR THEIR SAKE.
AND FOR ALL TIME THEIR PROGENY WILL ENDURE, THEIR GLORY WILL NEVER BE BLOTTED OUT; THEIR BODIES ARE PEACEFULLY LAID AWAY, BUT THEIR NAME LIVES ON AND ON. AT GATHERINGS THEIR WISDOM IS RETOLD, AND THE ASSEMBLY PROCLAIMS THEIR PRAISE.
THE WORD OF THE LORD.
SECOND READING:
A READING FROM THE SECOND LETTER OF PAUL TO TIMOTHY
I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT,
I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE,
I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH.
FROM NOW ON A MERITED CROWN AWAITS ME.
THE WORD OF THE LORD.
Again to you Aunt Barb, to you Bob, Jim and Barb, to the other family and friends, you have our love and prayers. Our first reading from the Book of Sirach is from the section of the Old Testament known as the Wisdom books. The passage speaks of the biblical wisdom to remember those who have gone before us, the heritage that we have received. We forget that to our detriment. We are not self made, we owe so much to so many godly people who have sacrificed for us, their descendents. And ultimately we owe all to God. All is gift, all is grace. St. Paul simply put it, "always be thankful." As disciples of Jesus Christ, we should have the attitude of gratitude. That is the beginning of wisdom. We have much to thank God for today.
Bob helped us so beautifully to remember all that we have received and to remember those godly people whose virtues should not be forgotten. Bob was part of what Tom Brokaw has called the greatest generation and he certainly made his great contributions. But he also helped us to appreciate that there have been many great generations and that their names should live on and be retold at our gatherings. Bob did tremendous work in tracing family histories and connecting people together. (Think of what he could have done with a computer!) But it was not just dry lists of names and dates. He was a story- teller, like all good historians. And like the master story teller, Jesus, Bob gave us stories of grace, the recountings of those blessed and wonderful people who did something for someone else, saved a life, bestowed a gift, gave something beyond what was required. He wanted us to know about the explorer, LeVerendrye and Minnesota’s first and forgotten martyr, Father Alneau. And there are so many others. Bob told us their stories. His last book, finished just this past year, The Tegeders in the Second Millennium, has to be the last word on that subject, but what a gift for his family, especially his grandchildren, as a foundation for the third Millennium. Bob made the connections. He brought people together. He served others generously. His work with the Knights of Columbus reminds us as St. James said, that faith without work is empty. I like to think that much of what he started such as the Fr. Hennepin Credit Union, will continue to help families. Yes, Uncle Bob, Opa, Dad, brother, brother Knight, you have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you kept and lived and shared the faith, may you now receive the merited crown.
Reflections offered by Son James D. Tegeder at the Mass of Christian Burial, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 14375 S. Robert Tr., Rosemount, MN March 3, 2000 (At the age of 87 years. Entered into eternal life: February 28, 2000) (Interment: Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.)
ROBERT MARTIN TEGEDER
[Reading: Tegeder Family Genealogy; Page 5 –Marked]
GOD FAMILY COUNTRY
Our father loved his God, his family and his country. We celebrate his life and for contributing more to others than he took for himself. The sadness at losing him will ring through but we know we were blessed to have him for so long.
He was the most wonderful of Fathers because he encouraged wonder and imagination.....
He loved his God!
After a lifetime of venerating the clergy and his deep respect for his brother George who joined the Benedictine Order and his Nephew Michael who chose the Holy Priesthood along with countless other priests and nuns since departed he counted as his friends...Father Mike selected the perfect reading for the Mass today. He knew our Dad.
After demonstrating, a strong faith in God rather than simply talking about it which he rarely did....
After attending hundreds of Rosaries for brother Knights and others... (Rosary)
After visiting the sick and infirmed for over 37 years (Crucifix)
[The crucifix left to Dad by William Delwade. A resident of The Old Soldiers Home in Minneapolis. It was his sole possession. Dad took us there as children and we would play around and on the cannons overlooking the river while Dad visited countless patients inside]
He loved his family
After experiencing growing up in NE Minneapolis he found he and brothers George, Clare, Roy and Bill had accumulated material for countless stories they could tell for years to come. They all claimed that my Dad’s job at the casket company was memorable in that during a funeral service at St. Boniface Church, which the whole family attended, the unimaginable happened and the bottom of the nailed together coffin actually fell off. Grandpa looked at Dad and whispered, "That’s one of the ones you nailed."
After many family get togethers it was evident he loved his Mother and Dad along with his brothers and sister and our memories include those great Sundays at Madison Avenue when everyone was there....
After 64 years of marriage to a loving wife and our Mother. (Photo)
After 87 years with loving parents, and four brothers and a little sister he liked, respected and loved for his entire life... (Photos)
After three children, nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren (Photos)
After all of the dedicated years to the Church, the Knights and historical preservation...(Photos)
After completing a chronicled family history tying the branches of the family together back to the twelfth century.... (Books)
After writing and publishing some 32 works referenced in the library of Congress...(Books)
After helping countless friends and acquaintances in their family research quests.... (Books)
After chronicling all of our lives with 10,000 slides and uncounted slide shows...
Once when we were on a family trip Dad stopped by the side of the road in the area of North Platte Nebraska to read a historical marker about wagon trains and the Oregon Trail. My Dad was tall and I can remember looking up at him as he read the sign to us. Then he crouched down, put his arm over my shoulder and pointed to a rounded elevated slope in the distance. He said, " Pretend you were there with them. Can you imagine how excited they all must have been?" "Can you see the wagons?" And then I think I really did see the wagons and his love of history, reading and the place and importance of family generations moving on ....had been shared and passed on.
You see, for my brother Bob and sister Barb and I that was not the first or the last exposure to Dad’s love of tradition and everyone’s responsibility to add a positive entry to the history tree. Some kids took summer vacations with their folks and we went on historical sabbaticals. The trips were planned for months around the dining room table with maps brochures and research books. We knew where we were going, when we would be there and what we had to see. Then, Dad never met a historical marker he did not like.
He loved his country
He understood why his great grandfather came here after losing a son to war. He was a student of war and its historical impact. The family history from the twelfth century was riddled and twisted by it.
[ Reading #2, Tegeder Family Genealogy; Page 8]
He had a deep respect and reverence for those who experienced combat and sacrificed themselves for this country. Every Veterans Day found us with Dad at a veteran’s cemetery including Fort Snelling where he returns today. His Uncle George’s stories of World War I captured him and his thoughts of his brothers in World War II and his youngest brother Bill at Normandy were related in our home, as "They are special"
When his own sons Bob and I and our cousin Jim Norblom ended up in Viet Nam he wrote the most inspiring letters, not focused on the past but instead insisting the future held great promise. Mom tells us that they were both frightened and afraid, but that was never apparent in his writing. He always wrote, " After you return home"...
Conclusion
Dad wrote the genealogy portion of his obituary and we added some portions he would not have included.
One part of it reads, "He is the author of..." The present tense is appropriate for an author who leaves something of himself in his work. He left us an up to date history of our family and of the earliest pioneer explorers in the Minnesota and Canadian North he loved. He is....
When you read Dad’s journals you will see daily references to every birthday, anniversary, announcement or news not just about his kids and their families but about you all. He was after all the family historian and he cared deeply for each of us. His appreciation for the care and support from Judy & Dr. Jack Daugherty as he refers to him in his journals was constant grateful and sincere. You were always listed, Jack, just before a visit to the Legion Club.
Dad loves you Mom and he loved and respected Bob Barb and I. Charlie was a son to him and Charlie is a brother to Bob and I.
As for Barb, (Barby Ann) On the way to the hospital the last time, Dad introduced Barb to the Paramedics as "My Precious Daughter". No Daughter could have done more for her Father or asked for a finer tribute from him.
Dad would have wanted to thank his friends from the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus and the caregivers who shared his last days.
After all of these and after the remembrances not mentioned our husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin and friend Bob Tegeder, my Dad, has written his last entry in the family history and joined his Lord and those countless ancestors he respected so much. His last words to me by cellular phone 14 hours before his passing were " I’m just waiting"!
God took him then
"After you return home, Dad wait for us.
"Can’t you just see him there?"
[Reading #3 & #4 Tegeder Family Genealogy; Pages 211 & 364]
Comments By Nephew Jay Tegeder
"Uncle Bob"
He was larger than life At 6'4", which was tall by today’s standards let alone his own generation. As the shortest male member of the Tegeder family, it hurt my neck more to look up to him than the rest of the relatives. However, I know you all had strained neck muscles when you spoke to him in person! Regardless of his height, he was always a big man in my opinion. Here are some of the best things I remember about my Uncle in my 42 years;
Slide shows:
Uncle Bob loved his camera and was quite accomplished with it. He used a 35mm for years and took fabulous pictures of he and Aunt Barbara’s trips across the USA and Europe. He always used slide film and never failed to invite the relatives over for slide shows after the vacations. As a kid, I was enthralled by those slides and the stories he told that went along with them. I remember us kids glued to the screen as Uncle Bob gave his presentations. It always seemed that the other adults would be fast asleep by the time the slide shows were over.
The Basement Bar:
Uncle Bob and Aunt Barbara had a bar in the basement of their home on Knox Avenue South in Minneapolis. Whenever we went over there, Uncle Bob always gave us kids a Coke. The rest of the basement was finished as well and was always lined with pictures from their various trips.
The K.C. Hall:
Uncle Bob was the King of the Knights of Columbus in my opinion. Just like at his house, he always sent us kids down to the basement for a Coke from the K.C. bar. I remember his 60th birthday party as being one of the best Tegeder gatherings and we always seemed to got there for a kids Christmas party. The creation of the Credit Union was one of Uncle Bob’s many accomplishments with the Knights of Columbus. In fact, I got my first car loan as a 17 year old from him. It was the easiest loan I ever got. He had the papers ready for me, told me to sign on the dotted line and handed me the check! The Credit Union has merged now with the Saint Anthony branch and several years ago, Kathleen suggested I close out my account which had $100 in it. That was the minimum amount the new regime said that members needed to have to keep their accounts. When I got over there, I told them I was closing out my account. They said the minimum was now only $25 and would I like to keep that amount in there. I said yes and got around $94 dollars from my account and kept the minimum $25 in. Kathleen asked me why I didn’t close out the account totally. I told her I just couldn’t do it since I had that account from the age of 17 and it was Uncle Bob who set it up for me. She didn’t really understand it at the time but she does now!
Colorful language:
Uncle Bob had a colorful way with the English language. His language skills were impeccable but he always seemed to add a few descriptive words. For instance, if he was talking about someone’s dog, it would invariably be "the damn dog." Or, if he asked a question like; "What was that guys name?" It usually came out as; "What the hell was that guy’s name?" Some of the prudish members of the family would cringe when he used damn and hell but us kids got a kick out of it.
The Family Tree:
What more needs to be said! He gave all of us a tremendous gift through his research into our ancestry. Thanks Uncle Bob!
The Stories:
One of my favorite Uncle Bob stories was the time he challenged Uncle Vincent’s 8th grade classmates. Uncle Bob was in 6th grade at the time and was as big as the 8th graders. He told them he could take any of them in a fight. They promptly roughed him up while Uncle Vincent did nothing to stop it. When Vince and Bob got home that evening, Grandpa asked Vince why he didn’t help Bob out. Vince told Grandpa that Bob had challenged the kids and that he figured he deserved the beating! Another Uncle Bob story was about how Great Uncles George and Ben would tie him up to the clothes line and threaten him with the neighbor’s dog.
The Cars:
Uncle Bob and Aunt Barbara had a lot of great cars including Chevrolets and Buicks. I always liked the ‘58 Impala convertible which I thought was Jim’s only but later I found out belonged to Aunt Barbara first followed by Bob Jr., Jim and then Barbara Ann. I also loved the ‘64 Impala 4 door hard top. It was bright yellow and was one of the most popular models ever produced by Chevrolet.
German Tegeders at My Wedding:
When Kathleen and I got married in 1992, some of our German relatives were visiting and staying at Uncle Bob and Aunt Barbara’s house. Uncle Bob asked if it would be okay to invite them to our wedding. We said of course and were honored to have them there. I think they really liked the idea of a Tegeder wedding in America and enjoyed themselves.
The Internet:
It’s too bad the internet wasn’t around 20 years earlier because I think Uncle Bob really liked his Web TV. He got some useful family ancestry information from the Internet including a contact with a relative who initially contacted me. Also, after one of the emails I sent him, he wrote a letter back to me using his old typewriter with some of the keys missing. That came a few days after I sent the email.
Anyway, these are just some of my memories of Uncle Bob. He did a lot of things in his 87 years and I feel very fortunate to have had him as an Uncle. Say hi to Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Dave for me Uncle Bob. I’m still looking up to you!
Jay
Comments From Kurt Beyerk (A Caregiver In Dad's Last Days)
James,
I write concerning your Father's sudden passage. I recall last speaking to him a
week before when I told him I'd talk to him again after I returned from a weeks
vacation. Every nursing instinct and experience told me for sure he would be
discharged to home with improvement before I returned and I bid him 'good luck'
and take care.
I remember that night before I left for vacation. To me things looked good for
him. He had energy, was upbeat.. He spoke of family and his past, that's how I
learned of his writings and history, he was very talkative.
My intentions were to attend his funeral, but my job had other commitments for
me. I wish I could have attended.
As a healthcare provider I see many patients in a year. I've been doing this for
11 years, but rarely did one single person have an impact on me. You could
see
his quality. Robert did and has made me re-think my goals, my mission and
my
destination, all from casual bedside chats! He has compelled me to be more
civic in my community, to be more charitable, and examine my religious beliefs.
I look up to him.
So, Robert, SR this is to you:
You told me you knew the works of Lord Byron,
He once said:
"As the sword wears out the sheath,
so the soul wears out the breast"
I'm very glad to have met your acquaintance, rarely do I meet a person of your
integrity, morality, conviction and genuine humanity. I will be indeed
blessed
if someday I leave a legacy such yours.
Pax,
Kurt.
Fort St. Charles
Robert M. Tegeder has contributed an ongoing interest and contribution to Fort St. Charles for over 50 years. His love of history and the exploits and bravery of exploration has found a dedicated focus with the story of La Verendrye and his three sons exploring uncharted frontiers with a dream of finding a passage to the Western sea.
With deep Tegeder family roots in the Catholic faith and with genealogical origins in Europe it is not surprising that the life of Father Aulneau holds a certain fascination and reverence for him. This young Jesuit fresh from ordination received an initial assignment to accompany explorers with the missionary assignment to bring the Faith to the unknown Indian population of the Northwest. This young cleric ended his life on his knees, the victim of a massacre by the very people he believed he was there to save. Finding that all of this drama occurred in his beloved Northern woods of Minnesota and nearby Manitoba the project was easily committed to by Robert Tegeder.
As the second of five sons and with a younger sister, the neighborhood of North East Minneapolis found a young man of exceptional scholastic ability and a genuine love for reading and history.
His older brother George (Father Vincent Tegeder O.S.B.) left home at the age of 12 to enter the Benedictine seminary at St. John's in Collegeville, MN where he went on to become the Head of the History department and Head Archivist of the monastery. Their shared love of history and the scholastic pursuit has fueled their friendship for over eighty years. All of the brothers and sister remain close and supportive though separated by many miles in today's modern age.
Graduating from De La Salle, HS as the class salutatorian he found himself with a four-year scholarship to Notre Dame University. While there he worked for the administration and knew Knute Rockne and was instrumental in the writing of a past President of the University's memoirs. Marriage, Service in the US Army in World War II, employment by The Knights of Columbus, the birth of two sons and a daughter. followed.
Over the years he has supported the various charities in the Twin Cities area and beyond and for years was dedicated to the visitation program for veterans at The Old Soldiers Home along the Mississippi River. Every weekend saw he and at least one of his children making the trip to the home to visit residents there. He was instrumental in the beginnings of the youth basketball and sports leagues in the Twin Cities and promoted the annual programs for The Boys Home. Over the years he has attended the rosary and services for hundreds of fellow Knights of Columbus as well as many others.
His style of motivation extended to his home in that the love of reading and the value of imagination were constantly being reinforced with historical reference and colorful stories giving ordinary events and places a magical quality. Family trips were planned for an entire year and the level of research was equivalent to a thesis. The route would be mapped and the historical landmarks would be described and discussed. The lessons of bravery and commitment and selflessness in the history of mankind were highlighted and the origins of ones family and ancestors deserved immense respect and interest.
He was instrumental in building Council 435 into one of the most active and successful Knights of Columbus Councils in the United States. The charitable works by this fraternal organization will never be fully recognized including his own such as visitations for 37 years to veterans with no families.. In addition, the founding one of the largest private Credit Unions in the State, managing a half million dollar major building program, restoring Fort St. Charles, photo chronicling geographic historical sites, authoring over thirty-two genealogical and historical publications, travel to every state except Hawaii and Alaska as well as to Europe received his attention. Providing support and inspiration to his friends, family, children and grandchildren continued until his passing and will go on in the form of inspiration to future generations.
February 28, 2001It was a year ago today that Dad died. The time seemed to speed by and yet I can't claim that time has dimmed his memory or his impact. I believe he walks with us!
Jim Tegeder
Notre
Dame Cathedral CAM (click Picture)
Fort Snelling National Cemetery
AUTHORED WORKS
TEGEDER HISTORY - THE DESCENDANTS OF BERNARD WESSEL TEGEDER, 1964. 163 pages.
The book contains Photostats and German documents relating to the family, including a copy of their official travel permit, Entlaffungs - Urkunde, issued by the Prussian Government in March of 1874, along with family photographs. Binding by the Miller-Davis Company of Minneapolis.
THE STORY OF FORT ST. CHARLES. As Chairman of the solicitation committee to raise funds for the restoration of Fort St. Charles, author wrote this article for mailing to all members of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus in Minnesota in the spring of 1950.
Fort Snelling Restoration Committee
FATHER JEAN AULNEAU OF FORT ST. CHARLES. A report of his life in France and in New France, and as Chaplain and Missionary at Fort St. Charles during the winter of 1735-36 and details of his massacre by Sioux Indians on an island in Lake of the Woods in June of 1736, along with an explanation of how his letters sent to his mother in France were miraculously discovered in 1889.
HISTORIC FORT ST. CHARLES. Brochure giving some history of the explorer La Verendrye and of his expedition made over the boundary canoe route to Lake of the Woods where he built Fort St. Charles in June of 1732. Complete with maps and photos more than 100,000copies of the 8-page brochure were printed and made available to all visitors to the fort during the years since 1960. Copy of brochure is included in the book, TEGEDER HISTORY-THE DESCENDANTS OF BERNARD WESSEL TEGEDER, published in 1964.
SPECIAL CENTENNIAL ISSUE OF THE COMPASS, published in May of 1958. Included history of the Knights of Columbus in Minnesota, Minnesota's oldest parish, first Catholic Church in Minneapolis, and the historic highlights of the state and the numerous personalities that made it great during its first hundred years. A copy of the issue is included in the book, TEGEDER HISTORY. See Above.
THE OSNABRUCK LETTERS. Collection of letters exchanged between William J. Tegeder of Minneapolis and William J. Tegeder of Osnabruck, Germany during the years immediately following the end of World War II, 1948-1957. 60 pages. The Rev. Burkhardt Armheiter, OSB., of St. John's Abbey, made translations of the German letters. William J. Tegeder of Minneapolis and the Monks at St. john's sent clothing and food packages to the Osnabruck family. The Rev. Bernard Coleman, OSB., former president of the University, also visited this Osnabruck family on a visit to Europe, as my wife and I also visited them in 1971.
THE TEGEDER LETTERS * 1936-1981. Compiled by R.M. Tegeder. A collection of letters sent home by the Tegeder brothers; Robert, Clarence and William, Jr. during the years they served in the Armed Forces in World War II, and also letters from Bob Tegeder, Jr., during the time he served with the US Navy as pilot and by James D. Tegeder, who served as an infantry officer commanding The Target Mission Force in Vietnam with the Americal Division, U.S. Army in 1969-1970. 176 pages. Published 1982.
REDISCOVERY AND RESTORATION OF FORT ST. CHARLES, 1978. 202 PAGES. The story of historic Fort St. Charles and the chronological report of the work of restoration completed by the Minnesota Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus during the period 1950 to 1978. Complete with photos, maps, and the report of the Jesuit discoverers who discovered the site on Magnusson Island in 1908.
REDISCOVERY AND RESTORATION OF FORT ST. CHARLES, Updated volume, June 1986, 253 pages. Contains complete report by Douglas A. Birk of the Institute for Minnesota Archeology and the notification the Fort St. Charles Archaeological Site Complex on Magnusson Island was listed on the National Register on April 8, 1983.
REDISCOVERY AND RESTORATION OF FORT ST. CHARLES, UPDATED VOLUME, TO 1995. 297 pages. Includes chronological report of work of restoration on the site by the Sir Knights of the Minnesota Fourth Degree from 1950 through 1994. Also details the period of 1973 to 1977 when the author, Robert M. Tegeder, served as Chairman of the Trustees in charge. At this writing Tegeder is the last surviving member of the original group that began the restoration in the Fall of 1949.
Some 500 volumes of the Restoration books have been printed to date. Copies were donated to all colleges, major historical societies and to thirty other historical associations in the United States. A copy was also sent to the Vatican Library, Biblioteca Apostolica Viticana for its historical collections. Authors Bob Tegeder copyrighted the book, but all profits from the sale of the books have accrued to the Fort Trustees, to help with the continuing maintenance expenses. Only a few copies remain and within a few years, the book should once again be updated to reflect what is now happening in the Northwest Angle with respect to this historic site. Information about the Fort St. Charles site and the work of the Minnesota Fourth Degree will soon be on the Internet and available to the millions who now have home computers.
THE CLERGY AND FORT ST. CHARLES. Written and complied by Robert M. Tegeder, 1989. A collection of letters and comments from the hundreds of clergy members who have been guests at the clergy cabins at Fort St. Charles during recent years. Book also includes some history of the fort and of Explorer La Verendrye and also of the youthful Father Aulneau, S.J., who served there as Chaplain during the winter of 1736, and was brutally massacred by the Sioux Indians on a nearby island in June of 1736.
FULFILLING A VISION. Article written for the special Dedicatory Booklet of the Knights issue in connection with the dedication of their new clubrooms at 28th and Park South in Minneapolis, October 16, 1960. Robert M. Tegeder, Editor of the Dedication Booklet.
THE KOCHENDORFER'S AND THE SIOUX UPRISING. 1988. An account of the Johan Kochendorfer family of Renville County who were among those massacred by the Sioux in August of 1862 when they attacked the white settlers along the Minnesota River. Johan and his wife Catherine were among those killed, along with their 3 daughter Sarah.
THE KOCHENDORFER'S AND THE SIOUX UPRISING, 1988. This volume includes the account of the survival of four of their children and also includes the complete genealogy of their descendants down to the present time (1992). These include some 1000 descendants who live in our Minnesota and Wisconsin areas. (This family is not related to Wanda Kochendorfer or to others in her family based upon current genealogical information).
THE BAHN FAMILY HISTORY 1731-1983. Genealogical information about the Harbaugh, Libhart, Heckert, Fisher and Bahn Families of early Pennsylvania. This is a Genealogical record of Charles Bahn of Apple Valley and his family.
THE RUEGG, TEGEDER, RIEMAN, NORBLOM AND KOCHENDORFER FAMILIES. This volume contains some genealogical information about forbears and the families of our children's grandparents. Following volumes of genealogical accounts for each individual family were prepared in more detail. 1983.
THE TEGEDER STORY TO 1984. Book dedicated to my parents William and Hilda Tegeder. Photographs. Has detailed genealogical account of all the members of my father's family with information about their German background and their life in America after their arrival in southeastern Indiana in 1874. Also has a description of early feudal life in northern Germany and events relating to old Westphalia and to the former Kingdom of Hanover.
TEGEDER FAMILY GENEALOGY, 1994. Has all information about Tegeders in Germany and full information about their lives here in America, including complete genealogical account of all Tegeder descendants since 1874. Also has considerable information about present Tegeder families who still reside in the Emsburen region and live along the Ems River in Northern Germany.
JOURNEY TO 1980. An autobiography by Robert M. Tegeder detailing early life in Northeast Minneapolis, four years of study and work at the University of Notre Dame, and service in the U.S.Army Quartermaster Corps. During part of World War II, and his thirty years of fraternal work with the Knights of Columbus and with the Nicollet Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus prior to retirement in 1988. Copies made for children. 465 pages.
THE RIEMAN STORY. 1837-1987. Christian Rieman and his descendants settled in Effingham County, Illinois and was the first Catholic settler in that area. His daughter Anna-Maria Rieman married Henry Nienaber and they were the parents of my grandmother Mary Nienaber Tegeder who lived with our family until her death when I was 19 years old.
TEGEDER-PUENT GENEALOGY TO 1990. Book detailing the descendants of all of the children of Johan Theodore Tegeder and his wife Euphemia Aleid. They came to America in the spring of 1874 and were the author's great-grandparents originally from the Emsburen, Germany region in northern Germany. 367 pages.
THE KOCHENDORFER HISTORY. Leonard Kochendorfer and his wife Barbara Gullman emigrated from Wurttenburg, Germany to settle along the Mississippi at Fountain City, Wisconsin in 1875. They were my wife's (Barbara Norblom) grandparents. 182 pages. 100 copies printed.
THE NORBLOM FAMILY HISTORY. Published in 1985. 110 copies. 202 pages. History of John and Mathilda Norblom who emigrated to Minnesota in 1868. They were the grandparents of my wife Barbara Norblom.
THE PFAU FAMILY HISTORY. Information about German-Russians who emigrated from the Odessa region to North Dakota in the late decades of the 19th century. Genealogy record of Michael and Helena Pfau family and that of the Philip and Euphrasia family. Ancestors of a friend Russell Pfau.
SIXTY YEARS A PRIEST, 1996. Collection of letters from my brother, the Rev. Vincent Tegeder, OSB., of St. John's Abbey. He wrote the letters to me during the past sixty years and will observe the 60th anniversary of his ordination in June of 1997. Copies to his brothers and sister.
THE KOCHENDORFER HISTORY 1842-1987. An updated and expanded history of the Kochendorfer family, to include others in the family who also emigrated to America from Wurttenburg in the early 1850's.
THE RUEGG FAMILY HISTORY. 1988. History and genealogy report of the John and Katharina Ruegg family who came to America from Switzerland in 1874. My mother was their youngest child and this is their story. They had been married in Switzerland some years before coming to America.
EDITOR "THE COMPASS" FOR 39 YEARS. An 8 page Fraternal Council publication published twice each month for a total of 39 years. Copies of this are in my possession and will be donated to the Catholic Historical Society in St. Paul, Minnesota.
THE FAIRBANKS BOOK 1996. A family history work done for my granddaughter Kristen and her husband Doug.
Father (William) Wife (Barbara) Brother (George)
Opa
I fished with him at Laq La Croix he was my grandfather my Opa
we sat together in a boat and watched bears run through the woods
we sat together in his backyard and I enjoyed sitting for once
so many laughs my side hurt driving in his big car
I was eager for retirement and staying the rest of the summer
I tried to tip my cap like him even when it looked ridiculous on me
and I heard stories of Minneapolis and stories about our family
their journey across the sea and I pictured them with steamer trunks
our name etched on the side and leaving behind their loved ones
imagining America and they found new cities, new loves
like Minneapolis in the North the weary cold path of the explorer
the banks of the Mississippi where we still live
and our name is on our suitcases and is still mispronounced
and we smile to correct them because they haven't heard the stories
they haven't read the books that were scoured over in Church basements
all those dusty shelves just to find one more story
another journey across the sea to record it with the shiny keys
that old typewriter in his office to report his findings to us
a loving occupation a correspondent of love
tending to the branches and the leaves
passing them on nobly passing them on to all of us
James D. Tegeder Jr. (Grandson)
February 2000
(John Newton/Edwin Excel)
Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see
T'was grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed
Thro' many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home
When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when we first begun.
