Ted Iding

Theodore Anthony Iding (Ted), 87, of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, quietly and peacefully left to be with his creator on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Taking him with a stroke was God’s way of saying, “I need you now, good and faithful servant.”

Loving husband of Patricia Josephine (Glynn) for nearly 65 years. Cherished father of five sons. Proud sibling of eight. Adored grandfather of 13. Great-grandfather of one. He had many beloved brothers and sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Ted was born on July 10th, 1938; to Joseph and Beatrice (Wegner) Iding in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He grew up fourth of nine children in a large Catholic family. Ted attended Christ King Catholic School in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, after a brief stint at Marquette High School where he was “asked to leave” for refusing to tuck in his shirt, which was strictly against the dress code.

After passing general education tests in 1956, he was very smart, Ted joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado. There he worked in Air Training Command. Ted specialized and graduated as a weapons control systems mechanic in March of 1957. This was also where he would purchase his 1947 Knucklehead. He tried to hide it from his mother but put it in a ditch after only a couple of weeks. From Colorado he was stationed at Kincheloe Air Force Base in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  They would send him to work on airplanes at Elgin Air Force Base in Florida’s hot and humid panhandle during the summer and winter in freezing Sault Ste Marie Michigan. Ted finished his service to the country in the reserves from April of 1960 to April of 1962, as was custom at the time.

Ted’s world would change while stationed in Michigan for another reason. His older brother, Richard, was stationed at the same base. Richard was married to Grace Glynn. Grace would visit with her little sister, Patricia and Ted and Pat would become inseparable. “Patty-Jo” would become the love of Ted’s life. Eventually brothers and sisters would both be married. Ted and Pat were united in marriage on September 9th, 1961, at Holy Assumption Church in West Allis, Wisconsin.

Ted would try different jobs like shining the big lights at a local gas station for service or he tried his lot with American Motors on the assembly line. This was very short lived. On June 1st, 1960, Ted would be drawn to working for his father’s company that was started by his grandfather in 1914, M.P. Iding Co. Inc. That’s right, almost 66 years, to the day, he was an employee for this company.

Ted and Pat would start their own family in West Allis. After a few years they made their move to New Berlin and raised their five boys in a wonderful house on Prospect Hill. Once all the boys were grown, in 1991 they made the move to their beautiful house on Upper Oconomowoc Lake for the next 35 years. So many memories were made at each home, especially on the lake with all the grandkids. He had a love for family that always showed.

Ted was very active with their parish in New Berlin, Holy Apostles Catholic Church.

Ted rode and raced Harleys. He gave his 1947 Knucklehead to his brother for maintaining while he raised the family. He fished for salmon on Lake Michigan. He loved the Scouts by being a Cub Master for 16 years then was the designated Summer Camp Scoutmaster for all five boys while scouting.

His stubbornness was legendary by eating tomato sandwiches for lunch, decades at a time. He liked certain things, a certain way and most of it was “Old School.” He lived by his convictions because of this. Ted received a private pilot license in August of 1964.

Ted worked hard, every day of his life, to prove he was worthy of his father’s approval and to raise his family right. In fact, he came in to work on Memorial Day because he forgot it was a holiday, the day before he had his stroke. Eighty-seven and still making sure he was at work because he needed to answer the phones, play solitaire and hand out the checks on Fridays. He played sheepshead as if he was a pro. Ted loved to cut the grass like it was an artform.

Ted loved his pistachios, caffeine-free Pepsi and root beer, shrimp dip with ruffled potato chips or Fritos. Raw beef and onions on rye bread was a delicacy to him. Pretty much anything that Pat would cook over the years, as one of his favorite quotes was, “I don’t eat to live, I live to eat!”

Ted was a quiet man that would talk your ear off if you gave him the chance. Storytelling and his memory were great attributes he possessed. He had a sternness but loving hand and thoughts. Conservative and stoic but mindful and educated with a huge heart. Ted was a deeply faithful, God-fearing man.

Ted was a good man. Rarely did you hear him use foul language, treat anyone unfairly or with disrespect. He golfed till his body wouldn’t allow it anymore. Rode his golf cart like it was a tool of the trade. His favorite clothes were anything plaid, suits for all the kid’s events and flannels because he was always cold.

After driving the company truck, a Suburban, for decades he fancied his Cadillacs. Ted loved to ride his motorcycles, drive his Corvette and convertibles, take his speedboats, deck boats and pontoon for a whip around the lake. Smoking his Kools was his favorite vice, almost right up there with a good Ol’ Southern Comfort Old Fashion Sweet.

Once or twice a year Ted would take Pat on trips around the world. They were jetsetters, Abrasive Conference trips to the Carolina’s, Florida, Mexico and Vegas Baby. They’ve been to Hawaii, Ireland, California, France, Mississippi Houseboating, Spain, Nashville and Alaska Cruising. Of course, Seattle and New York just to name a few. They were Arizona and Florida snowbirds.

In the world of new technology Ted became obsessed with his phone games. Anything Word Search, Wordscapes, Word Wiz, Word Forest, Word Crush where he was proud of his level 96,480 or Wordlive level 28,915.

Ted was always there for his wife, children and grandchildren. With his love, he showed us all how to be a man, a husband and a father. His memory will live on in the hearts of those that will deeply miss him: His wife, Patricia of Pewaukee. His five sons, Scott (Laura) Iding of Wauwatosa, Timothy (Renee) Iding of Fish Creek, Gregory (Marianne) Iding of Big Bend, Daniel (Lisa) Iding of North Prairie, Jeffrey (Sarah) Iding of Hartford, WI. Thirteen grandchildren, Nicole (Mike) Collins, Johnathan Iding, Andrew (Danyelle) Iding, Taylour (Alex) Schuler, Luke Iding, Charlie Iding, Nathan Iding, Matthew (friend Bella) Iding, Sophia (Jacob) Kaltz, Hunter (fiancé Lacy) Iding, Olivia Iding, Izabella Iding, Brett Iding. Great-Grandchild Axel Jon. Brother Larry Iding and sister Susie (Greg) Potter. Goddaughters Lisa (Joe) Huber, Kathy (Dan) Fogel, Cherie Iding and Michelle (Roger) Day. Godsons Randy (Lisa) Iding, Michael (Mary) Nolan. Many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Beatrice. Siblings: Joseph (Jean) Iding, Richard (Grace) Iding, Margaret (Richard) Wondra, Dennis (Irene) Iding, James (Judy) Iding, Beatrice (Pumpkin) Iding.

Visitation will begin at 4:00 PM until 5:30 PM, with Service to follow at 5:30 PM. Dinner to follow service at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Ted Iding, please visit our Tribute Store.