Theodore E. ‘Ted’ Hetzer

He was born on Feb. 27, 1956, in Waukesha, Wis., to the late Edward and Helen (Abrams) Hetzer.

Born and raised in Waukesha and Brookfield, Wis., Ted spent time in the warm states of Arizona, California and Florida after graduation. Upon returning to Wisconsin, he resided in New London, Wis., the hometown of his parents and grandparents.

Ted attended Fox Valley Tech for auto body, and was employed by Don’s Sports Cars in Hortonville, Wis.

He met the love of his life, Peggy, in Florence, Wis., in 1982. They enjoyed being together, riding, camping, and attending concerts. While residing in New London, they married and started their family in 1985 with the birth of their son, Chas.

Ted again attended Fox Valley Tech for welding and fabrication, and became employed by Steel King.

In 1987, they moved to Florence to be close to family. Ted became employed by Customer Metal Fabrication in Iron Mountain until his retirement. When they welcomed twin sons Dillon and Darron in 1990, their family grew even more. Ted was a great family man who was always there for his wife and sons.

Ted had many passions in life. His passion for motorcycles began at a young age. He loved to ride. Throughout his life, he attended the Sturgis and Daytona Bike Week rallys. He and his sons traveled to many motorcycle shows and swap meets all over the country, buying and selling antique Harley bikes and parts. Throughout the motorcycle world, he was known as “Knucklehead Ted.” Ted was an original picker, who always had many antique and vintage items, which drew people to his home, leading him to meet interesting people from all over the country.

Ted was an avid gardener, “A Master of Plants.” He was an advocate of marijuana, realizing its mind and body health benefits since the 1960s.

In 1998, Ted bought Peggy her dream house near Crystal Falls. Their family has many wonderful memories here and will continue to make memories in this home.

In 2008, a new venture started for Ted, becoming a grandpa to his beautiful granddaughter. He cherished his role as her grandpa. In 2015, his role as grandpa grew with the birth of his beautiful grandson. He loved being a grandpa and was very involved in their childhoods which included many adventures to lakes, parks, and swap meets. Ted loved teaching them board games and playing outside with them.

Teddy, we will miss you always, our dear husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend.

Your legacy lives on in the lives you touched.

Ted is survived by his loving wife, Peggy Hetzer; son Dillon (Stephanie Shedlak) Hetzer; sister Holly Hetzer; and grandchildren, Hallee Hetzer, and Kannon Hetzer; many nephews, nieces, and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sons, Charles Hetzer and Darron Hetzer; brother Loren Hetzer; and special mother-in-law, Lillian Mohr.

Visitation will be from 4 until 5:30 p.m., on Friday, May 8, at Jacobs-Plowe Funeral Home in Crystal Falls. A Celebration of Ted’s Life will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home, with Pastor Vicky Prewitt officiating.

Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Ted’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.

The family has chosen Jacobs-Plowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services to honor Ted’s legacy of life.