Seidel, Theodor “Ted” age 84 passed away on October 7, 2015 due to complications from pneumonia.
Ted was born in Breslau, Germany, a small railroad town, where he developed a passion for the sport of soccer, and dreamt of the destinations the local trains might someday take him. Little did he know then, that America would be his destination, and soccer, a huge part of his future.
In 1947, during World War II, he fled into West Germany at the age of seventeen, where he secured a job as a security guard with the American Armed Forces. He worked in this position for the next five years, while waiting for a visa to immigrate to the United States. In 1955, his immigration papers came through, with Sioux Falls, South Dakota being his assigned destination. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted into the United States Army.
After his service, Ted returned to Slayton, Minnesota, where he found a job with the telephone company, and lived with the Anderson Family of Iona, whose son Bud he had befriended during his time with the American Armed Forces in Germany. It was here that he also met his soul mate and future wife Verdelle, whom he married in 1961. During those years, Ted and Verdelle started their family, while he attended college in Mankato, earning his teaching degree, and eventually landing a job at Burnsville High School in 1965. Ted dedicated thirty-one years of his life there, teaching German and continuing his passion for the game of soccer, by developing and coaching the boys’ soccer program. During his thirty-one years at Burnsville High School, he impacted the lives of countless students and athletes, and celebrated several unforgettable State Championship seasons with his players.
Ted was a hard working and dedicated family man to his wife and four children, and his retirement years found no greater joy than his grandchildren. He was a loving and dedicated grandfather who enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s various activities.
Ted was preceded in death by his grandparents Friedrich and Emma Seidel; mother Elfriede Seidel; sisters Elsa and Gertrude Seidel; brothers Kurt, Herbert, and Friedrich Seidel; brother, Rolland (Bud) Anderson; and his wife Verdelle Seidel.
Ted is survived by his sisters, Helga and Crystal; sister, Charlotte Pazik; his children, Julie (Loren), Thea (Mark), Kristine (Jason), John (Jenny); his loving grandchildren Alexa, Nathan, Keara, Olivia, Ryan, Mackenzie, and Ava; fellow Coach and devoted friend Andrew Karageorgiou and many other relatives and friends.
A private family funeral and celebration of Ted’s life was held on October 10th at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home in Prior Lake, followed by interment at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Prior Lake.
Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
A special thank you is extended to the caregivers and staff at Bee Hive Homes of Excelsior for the loving care they gave Ted this past year. Funeral arrangements by Ballard Sunder Funeral & Cremation, Prior Lake. BallardSunderFuneral.com 952-447-2633
