JEFF VEEDER

JEFFREY STEPHEN VEEDER, 68 Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church for a lifelong parishioner and International Falls resident. Jeffrey Stephen Veeder died on March 26, 2025, at his home on Rainy Lake. The youngest of the seven children of Harvey Francis Veeder and Elizabeth Emma Pitzen Veeder, Jeff was born on February 3, 1957, at La Verendrye Hospital in Fort Frances, Ontario. As was the case for all of the family, Jeff worked and contributed from an early age to the many businesses gas, groceries, fishing trip outfitting and guiding for fly-in trips to Canada, Christmas tree flocking and sales, and a greenhouse -- at the Gateway Trading Post east of International Falls. He attended St. Thomas School through eighth grade, and then Falls High School, graduating in 1975. He lettered in football, basketball and track at FHS, and was a captain of the track team. After 50 years, the record set by Jeff and his relay team mates still stands on the wall at the high school. Veeder next attended Rainy River Community College, graduating in 1977, and then moved on to St. Cloud State University, where he earned a B.S. in Biology in 1979. He returned to International Falls to accept a position at Corrin's Plumbing and Heating, working for John, Chuck, Bill, Arthur and Bill, and there he earned a license as a journeyman plumber. Jeff was skilled at all trades carpentry, electricity, plumbing and heating, and project management and he put those abilities to good use when he was hired by International Falls School District 361 in August, 1984. He worked in every school building operated by the district and obtained his Chief Engineer's license (boiler operation) before being promoted to the Maintenance Director position in 1990. Later, his position expanded to include additional responsibilities as the Transportation Director. Veeder retired in November, 2015. In June, 1981, Jeff met Margaret Preuss, originally of Milwaukee, WI, who was working as a reporter at The Daily Journal, and they were married a year later on July 17, 1982, at St. Thomas Church. As newlyweds, they lived on the Anchorage Road at South Jackfish Bay. In August, 1984, they welcomed with joy their son, Jacob, before moving to Sand Bay in December, 1984. Joseph was born in February, 1987, to complete their family and add to their happiness. Jeff lived in his home on Rainy Lake for more than 40 years. As Jake and Joe moved through school and sports at FHS, Jeff became their biggest fan, and often their coach, in football, hockey and t-ball, resuming a role he enjoyed in his late teens and early twenties when he was a youth rec coach in the community. Together with Craig and Mary Moe, the Veeders founded the Track Boosters, working to secure new uniforms, new equipment, and eventually a new track. He was among the volunteers who installed ice-making equipment at Kerry Park Arena. As Jake and Joe graduated and moved away to college, he followed the Johnnies and the Badgers. Jeff was an accomplished water skier and snow skier, mastering both barefoot skiing and the most challenging runs on trips out west skiing with his college roommates, friends, and later his sons. He enjoyed spending time at the hunting shack and on Rainy Lake, and he was happiest in a boat, either a motorboat or a sailboat. After he retired, he worked part-time as a baggage handler at Falls International Airport, and he used his flying privileges to travel with Marge to several countries in Europe, Mexico, Canada and to many locations in the U.S., with highlights including a trip to the Rose Bowl to watch the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and their trip to Italy last fall. Marge and Jeff also enjoyed classic rock concerts in Minnesota and out-of-state after their sons left home. By far, the most important travel in his life were the frequent trips to Monroe, WI, and New London, MN, to watch his six grandchildren in their many athletic, academic and artistic pursuits. He added the Monroe Cheesemakers and the New London-Spicer Wildcats to the teams he followed, and he just as easily became a cross-country and volleyball fan and a "dance grandpa" as a supporter in the stands in the sports he knew so well. The addition of grandchildren to their life provided Marge and Jeff with untold joy and wonder and he claimed it was impossible to brag too much if you were a grandpa. In his later years, Jeff was a voracious reader and a regular patron of the Falls Public Library. In addition, he set in place "take one, leave one" libraries at the airport and the bus garage. He was a fan of the "Little Libraries" in our community and stealthily made repairs to those damaged by age or a wayward vehicle, and often balanced books between sites. He wanted to be remembered as the "Book Grandpa" to his grandchildren. Until most recently, Jeff was an active member of the St. Thomas Knights of Columbus, happy to help at the Community Café, Backpack Buddies, pancake breakfasts and Friday fish fries. He also was a member of the Rendezvous Yacht Club, the Elks Club, and the International Voyageurs Snowmobile Club. He held dear the friends he made in these pursuits, adding to those he treasured from the Falls High School Class of 1975, the bus garage and the schools, the airport and the sports community football, track and hockey. Jeff was cherished and is already missed by his wife, Margaret, and his sons and their families: Jacob (Amanda) and Lucas Jeffrey, Elizabeth Marie, Clara Jo, and James Joseph Veeder, all of Browntown, WI ; and Joseph (Ashley) and Ryan Joseph and Madeline Ann Veeder, all of New London, MN. He was deeply loved by his surviving siblings and their families: Judith Christenson, of St. Joseph, MN; James Veeder (Eunice), of Decorah, Iowa; Jeanne (Michael) Anderson, of Apple Valley, MN; and Joan Milette, of Grand Rapids, MN; and his brother-in-law, DuWayne Olson, International Falls. He is further survived by his in-laws and their families: Charles (Shelley) Preuss, of Mequon, WI; Amelia Wuerger, of Crystal Lake, IL; Gail (Rich) Linden, of Des Plaines, IL; and John (Becky) Preuss, of Wisconsin Rapids, WI; and Marge's aunt, Carol Sellitto (Pete Sandberg), of Waupun, WI. He loved for a lifetime his five godchildren: Doug, Mark, Sheena, Brad and Meredith. He is further survived by beloved nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, and his loyal and supportive friends. Jeff was predeceased by his parents, Harvey and Elizabeth Veeder; by Marge's parents, Charles and Edith Preuss; by his brother, John Veeder, and his sister, Jacqueline Olson; by his brothers-in-law James Christenson and Robert Milette; and by his great-niece, Carly Christenson. Family and friends are invited to call at Green-Larsen Funeral Home on Monday, March 31, from 5 to 7 p.m., with a Rosary to be led by the Knights of Columbus at 6:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at St. Thomas with Father Steve Langenbrunner presiding. Interment will be at St. Thomas Cemetery in International Falls, where he will be buried next to his parents, Harvey and Elizabeth, with a luncheon to follow at St. Thomas. If desired, memorials may be directed to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, the Falls Education Foundation or the American Cancer Society.