Leo Edward Jaeger 1936-2017

JAEGER, FARRELL, MENEGAS, WOOD, MILLER

Posted By: j.n. (email)
Date: 12/17/2017 at 12:19:22

Leo Edward Jaeger, 80, of Rochester, passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at Mayo Clinic, Saint Marys Campus.

Leo was born May 18, 1936, in Dubuque, Iowa, to Leo F. and Florence (Farrell) Jaeger. He was a kind and modest man with a great sense of humor. He graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1954. He attended the University of Dubuque with a major in chemical engineering, Winona State with a B.F.A. in graphic design in 1972, and attended the University of Minnesota's Doctoral Program in Education Administration. Leo worked for the U.S. Forest Service in Oregon each summer while attending college. Leo taught art classes through Adult Education, District 535, for 18 years.

He married the love of his life, Theodora "Dori" Menegas, on Dec. 26, 1957, in Galena, Ill. This year would have been their 60th wedding anniversary. Leo was an Army and Air Force veteran, serving 18 years active and reserve duty. He was with the 4th Armored Division, 27th Combat Engineers, stationed in Nuremberg and Neu Ulm, Germany. He also trained as a pilot in the Civil Air Patrol. He worked for Convair Aeronautics General Dynamics in high temp research development in San Diego.

Leo was also in business with his brother-in-law, Bill Carter, of Carter's Restaurant. He was a fine artist (print maker) who had his own studio and gallery in Rochester (Renaissance Press) and sold his award-winning work throughout the U.S. and Europe. He was a member of Southeastern Minnesota Visual Artists (SEMVA).

Leo had many hobbies including building and flying model airplanes. He was a member of the Rochester American Aero Model Society (RAMS) and the Marion Airplane Club. For many years, he flew radio-controlled model airplanes, both outdoors and indoors. He was an avid reader, loved to travel, and had a passion for the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Green Bay Packers. Leo was a member of St. Pius Catholic Church, where he served as Lector and Eucharistic Minister for 30 years. He was a member of the Rochester Catholic Cemetery Board. Leo coached little league football, baseball, and treasured his annual fishing trips to Lake of the Woods with his children and grandchildren.

Leo is survived by his loving wife, Dori; children, Susan Miller, of Rochester, Mark (Shelly) Jaeger, of Oronoco; grandsons, Steven (Holly) Miller, Michael Miller, Matthew Miller, Nicholas Jaeger, and Andrew Jaeger; brother, Allan (Mary) Jaeger, of Seattle; sister, Nancy (Mike) Wood, of Meridian, Idaho. Leo was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Florence.

The family expresses gratitude for the 40 years of compassionate care from Dr. Henry J. Schultz and Mayo Clinic.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 6, at St. Pius Catholic Church, 1315 12th Ave. NW, Rochester. Visitation will be held 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.