Harold L. Tegethoff was born February 26, 1936, in Morrowville, KS, to George M. and Ursula (Scheetz) Tegethoff. He died August 18, 2025, at Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community, Buhler.
Harold was raised on the farm, and attended Fairbury Junior College, Fairbury, NE, while working at a windmill factory. He attended Kansas State University, changed his major to education, and completed his Bachelor of Education at Emporia State University. Harold’s junior high mathematics teaching career began at Hutchinson USD 308 Central Junior High, in 1960. He continued teaching until his retirement in 1994 from Hutchinson High School and part-time at Hutchinson Community College. While teaching, Harold commuted to Emporia, where he completed his Master of Education degree.
In 1975, Harold married Linda Johnson Nerad, in Wichita. Together, they raised Linda’s two daughters, Denise and Michelle. One of his joys was helping to raise Michelle’s five-year-old son, Robert Lounsbury III, during the six months she was deployed to Italy and Sarajevo while serving in the United States Air Force. Harold and Robert enjoyed their daily visit to Fraese Drug Soda Fountain, where Harold continued to meet with his coffee buddies. The coffee buddies were solving the world’s problems, but more than that, they were a valuable support group to each other.
Harold was a member of Church of the Holy Cross, Hutchinson. His deep Catholic faith led him to begin a Perpetual Adoration prayer hour on Sunday nights, in 1989. Harold treasured his quiet time with the Lord. He was a member of the Thursday morning Cursillo men’s prayer group and frequently attended daily mass as well as Saturday Mass.
Harold will be remembered for his thoughtful kindness. After his retirement, he was the homemaker in charge of vacuuming and all household chores, while Linda continued working another 17 years. Harold always appreciated Linda’s home cooking and even insisted on doing the dishes as an expression of his gratitude.
Harold is survived by: his wife of almost 50 years, Linda; stepdaughters, Denise Avery (Robert Scott Avery) and Michelle Hurst; grandchildren, Christopher P. E. Avery (Marie Moses), Catherine R. Avery (Jacob Gonedridge), and Robert L. Lounsbury III; great-grandsons, Christopher J.P. Avery and Emitt Avery; great-granddaughter, Alice Lounsbury; brother, Robert Tegethoff; and seven nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Wilma Brandt.
Parish Rosary will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 23, 2025, with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30 a.m., both at Church of the Holy Cross, 2631 Independence Road, Hutchinson, with Father Jerome Spexarth officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday at Elliott Mortuary.
Memorials are suggested to Church of the Holy Cross or the Hutchinson Community College Endowment Association (Harold & Linda Tegethoff Scholarship), in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.