Theodore 'Ted' Bogda 89, died Dec. 7, 2006 in Mesa, Ariz. Ted Bogda was born April 7, 1917 in Cicero, Ill. He attended Shurz High School in Chicago lettering in football and baseball and was a top-rated speed skater. Ted worked in his father's meat shops, ran a printing press and sharpened his sister's speed skates. After graduating from high school, Ted played semi-pro baseball in Chicago until deciding to attend St. Olaf College. At St. Olaf, he and his friends were instrumental in starting the college's hockey program and he earned 10 letters in football, hockey and baseball. Ted graduated from St. Olaf in 1941 and continued his education earning a Masters Degree from the University of Minnesota. Ted and Clara Herseth were married on June 21, 1941. Ted enlisted in the Navy and was a World War II veteran. Ted was a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent in Welcome, Spring Grove, and Ellsworth, Minn. In 1957, he became the Director of Elementary Education in Chisholm, Minn., until his retirement in 1979. He and Clara then moved full time to their cabin on Kabetogama Lake and started wintering in Mesa, Ariz. Ted enjoyed gardening, picking berries, watching the stock market, messing up his computer, suffering as a Cubs fan and visiting with family, relatives and friends. Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Rose (Kolar) Bogda; sister, Elaine (Ed) Gordon; and grandson, Ted Bogda, Jr. Ted is survived by his wife of 65 years, Clara (Herseth) Bogda; children, Ted (Esther), Bena, Gerald (Vicki), Edina, Richard (Ann), Wilmington, Del., Bruce (Naomi), Detroit Lakes and Sheri (Dan) Vertina, Ericsburg; and 12 grand and great grand children. CELEBRATION OF LIFE:will be held at Kabetogama in July with interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Published in the Duluth News Tribune on 12/24/2006.