NEW ULM

Theodore "Ted" Henry Metzen, 76, of New Ulm passed away on December, 31, 2015. The Good Lord chose the very best man to ring in His New Year. Visitation will be on Sunday, January 10, 2016 from 2-5 p.m. at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home, South Chapel, in New Ulm. His family will hold a private funeral service.

Ted created quite the crew and is survived by, his bride, Arlene Metzen; daughters, Tracey (husband Scott) Schmiesing, and Amy Metzen (husband Fred Garmone); grandchildren, Amber Schmiesing, Brandon (Nicole) Schmiesing, Theadora "Teddy" Garmone and Rocco Garmone; great-grandchildren, Bodee, Teegan and Reese Schmiesing; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins – a family too numerous to list but not forgotten.

Ted was born on June 19, 1939 in New Ulm. He was raised on the family farm and it wasn't uncommon to hear him talk about the land being purchased by Kraft. He graduated from New Ulm High School in 1957. He took great pride in his service with the Army (1959-1962) and being stationed in Germany. Most notably he talked about guarding Air-Force One during Eisenhower's presidency. Upon honorable discharge, he moved back to New Ulm and married the love of his life, Arlene Maidl, on August 31, 1963.
Ted absolutely loved her so every day for over 50 years. Ted and Arlene built a house in 1964 and still call it home today. Together they raised two daughters, Tracey and Amy. He taught them to: be thankful, enjoy life, be humble, take family vacations; have an impeccable work ethic, love and be loved, be an amazing parent and be a caring spouse. Ted loved spending time with his daughter, Tracey, and son-in-law, Scott, out at their farm west of Hanska. He also enjoyed travelling to New York a few times a year with Arlene to visit their daughter Amy and her family. Ted was relied on by his family and friends for so many things and was always there for them. He was all-knowing about all things and particular about most things. He was always asked to fix things because he had an innate ability to make it look brand new – a true perfectionist.
Ted loved a good joke; inappropriate innuendos; having coffee with friends, which, on occasion also included a nip of his favorite brandy; playing spider solitaire; offering beer to those he loved; the History and Discovery Channel; being republican; playing cards with his in-laws; playing cribbage with his wife; and boasting about how successful his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and their respective spouses are.
He enjoyed spending time with their dog, Morgan; removing weeds from his lawn; helping his son-in-law, Scott, during harvest; putzing around; never selling the Chrysler; trucking; sauerkraut and dumplings, babysitting his grandchildren and great grandchildren; broasted chicken from Essig; a cold beer at Searles or the B&L; his wife's cooking, particularly her raisin and oatmeal cookies; a good Christmas vest; having a perfect lawn and freshly shoveled sidewalks.
Ted was a true conversationalist and he loved to talk to everyone about everything, specifically you could find him having a logical conversation about history, the solar system, politics, boilers, trucking, farming, and, of course, the weather pattern. His humor was unmatched and enjoyed by everyone that met him.
He excelled at being a boiler operator at Kraft, and Schell's Brewery. He enjoyed trucking and most recently again for Aschenbrenner Trucking, he was knowledgeable about the roads but (we think) he most enjoyed visiting with those he met along the way.
"Metzen's" signature every day look was all his own: a flannel shirt (sometimes plaid), an occasional Schell's t-shirt, a Hauenstein cap, a black or red set of suspenders (from Runnings, of course) hooked onto jeans or jean shorts with tall white socks and tennis shoes, and on a snowy day you would find a bright red stocking cap adorning his head.
The family asks that in honor of Ted you embrace another's imperfections and praise their successes. As one of his many legacies he leaves behind will be the gift of allowing each person he was in contact with to feel as though they were the very best. He was genuinely curious and enamored with people. He loved his family and friends unconditionally and never ever expected or wanted them to change in any way. He was never critical of their flaws and was amazed by all their successes. His love was unconditional in the truest sense.
Finally, everyone who remembers him is asked to celebrate Ted's life by raising a cold glass and toast his beautiful soul, which we will all miss so much that it's indescribable. His family and friends are grateful he chose them to spend his life with.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Margaret Metzen; his siblings, Marion, Robert, Marvin, William "Bill"; sister-in-law, Elaine; brother-in-law, Floyd and mother and father-in-law, Wanda and Ed Maidl. www.mvfh.org