Thomas Staedt

1939 - 2011

Good and faithful servant, Tom Staedt, went to be with his Lord on Friday, Dec. 9, after a valiant eight-month battle with esophageal cancer.

He was born in Appleton, on Feb. 3, 1939, baptized into Christ on Feb. 26, 1939, and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church. He also attended Zion Grade School and graduated from Appleton High School in 1957.

Tom joined the U.S. Air Force and served in Tex., Tripoli, Libya, and Calif. After four years, he was honorably discharged and returned to Appleton to take a job at the Appleton Post Crescent, where he worked for 38 years, retiring in 1999. During his retirement years, he held part-time positions at Cut & Care Lawn Service and Riverside Florists. On Sept. 25, 1965, he married Diana Jean Teigen at First English Lutheran Church of Appleton, and they spent 46 fun-filled, loving years together. Tom was the proud and caring father (and father-in-law) of Jodi (Bob) Rickert, Tricia Kasten, and Todd (Karen) Staedt, and was the grandfather to six adoring grandchildren, Cassi Miramontes, Evie, Celia and Leslie Kasten, and Josi and Thomas Staedt. They were the light of his life.

He is also survived by four cherished sisters and a brother, Barb Champeau, Sherry (Jerome) Storzer, Patty (Steve) Dyreson, Paula Staedt, and Terry (Janice) Staedt; two brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law, Gary (Wendy) Teigen, Terry Teigen, and Kim Teigen. Three aunts and one uncle survive, Florence Dunsirn (Tom's Godmother), Marion Spiegelberg, and Junior and Mary Joyce Koester and many cousins. Additionally, he is survived by many faithful nephews and nieces whom he loved dearly, and six Godchildren, Chris Champeau, Steve Stark, Brad Staedt, Troy Storzer, Jessica Carpenter, and Josh Champeau.

Meeting Tom in Heaven are his parents, Henry and Irma (Palm) and Caroline (Koester) Staedt; mother-in-law and father-in-law, John and Betty Teigen, two brothers-in-law, Edward Champeau and Dick Teigen, two nieces, Lesli and Lucia Staedt and a special friend, Bob Hietpas.

He was blessed with many life-long friendships, including co-workers from the Post Crescent, former neighbors from Leminwah Street, cribbage and sheepshead card clubs, school classmates, Fiesta Acres Condo neighbors and Zion Church friends. The core of Tom's life was his family and friends, and his most perfect day would be with them, cooking or grilling a meal to share, followed by games, cards, or just relaxing (best in the sun with a cold beverage).

A celebration of Tom's life will take place at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011, at Zion Lutheran Church, 912 N. Oneida St., Appleton, with Rev. Kurt Kovanen officiating. Friends may visit directly at the church on Tuesday from 11 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for Zion Lutheran Church.

"As long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away. All the love created is still there. All the memories are still there. You live on in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here." "Death ends life, not a relationship."

Brettschneider-Trettin-Lederer

606 N. Oneida St. Appleton

733-7383 www.btlfuneral.com