John Frederick Tetzlaff

John Frederick Tetzlaff was born on September 6, 1935 in St. Paul, MN, the son of Frederick and Ruth (Kellam) Tetzlaff. He grew up in St. Paul and graduated from Monroe High School. He then attended Dunwoody Technical College to receive training to become an electrician. John noticed a girl in the eighth grade and had vowed to marry her one day. After perusing this young lady for a few years, he married the love of his life, Annette Fredericksen on August 1, 1959 in St. Paul, MN. Together they lived in East St. Paul for over 30 years where they raised three children; Brian, Todd, and Kristy. John worked as an electrician for most of his life. He retired in 1996 from Hunt Electric after working at Unissys in Eagan, MN for the last twelve years. John and Annette moved to Lake Miltona after his retirement to enjoy fishing, swimming, and boating. Coaching came very easily to John. He coached Babe Ruth baseball for over thirty years in St. Paul, MN. He won many championships through the years and taught many of his players more than just baseball. John’s style of coaching was all based on “playing by the rules”. He instilled the meaning of honesty, competitiveness, and humility by the way he taught his players the game of baseball. John did not only coach baseball, he also coached basketball and football, helping mold positive values into many children’s lives. Family was very important to John. He loved his wife, children, and grandchildren very much. He played countless card games and board games, always making sure everyone “played by the rules”. John loved to fish for walleye on Lake Miltona and other area lakes. He also was lovingly called “Foreman” by his family because of the “lists” he had kept handy to make sure all chores were done, small or large. John died on Thursday, February 4, 2016 at the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria at the age of 80 years old. He is survived by his wife Annette Tetzlaff of Alexandria; sons Brian (Lisa) Tetzlaff of Zimmerman, MN and Todd (Katherine) Tetzlaff of North Branch, MN; daughter Kristy Tetzlaff of Brainerd, MN; grandchildren Britney, Areona, Alex, Madison, Isabelle, and Elinor. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Bill and sisters Phyllis and June. A funeral service was held on Monday, February 8, 2016 at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Interment was in the Kinkead Cemetery.

John Frederick Tetzlaff

September 6, 1935 - February 4, 2016