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Jeffrey Wildung Obituary – 11/21/2015


Jeffrey Wildung, age 45, of Cologne, died Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at Hennepin County Medical Center, with family by his side.

He was born July 19, 1970, at Ridgeview Hospital in Waconia, the son of Dale and Mary Lou (Widmer) Wildung. Jeff was baptized and confirmed at St. Bernard’s Church in Cologne.

He married Victoria (Mechtel) Nov. 1, 1996, and built a home in rural Cologne.

Jeff worked for Bongards Creameries during high school and while attending Hutchinson Vo-tech in the automotive technician program.

In 1994, he started his own owner/operator trucking business, Jeff Wildung Trucking. He leased on to Oak Grove Dairy, and later Mullin Trucking, until he got his own authority and was an independent gravel hauler.

Jeff wanted more flexible hours and, in 2008, he went to work for the City of Cologne, where he was currently the public works director and had recently obtained his water and wastewater licenses.

Jeff was an adrenaline junkie and he loved having fun. He loved horsepower, and had to build or buy the biggest engines. He could fix anything.

Jeff was the type of guy that liked to help people out. He was very particular about his work and he had the “if you can’t do it right, don’t do it at all” attitude. He was known for his quality of work and work ethic.

Jeff loved to cut wood, and he was known as a “wood-aholic.” He loved to spend time with his dad and his wife cutting and processing wood.

He loved to have campfires at home or while camping with his camper. He also enjoyed going to the weekly car shows with his wife, looking for the next car of his dreams.

Jeff will be remembered for his smile and how he would make people laugh. He was a kind-hearted person, loved by many, and will be missed by all.

Jeff was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harold and Margaret Widmer, and Donald and Ordelia Wildung; father-in-law and mother-in-law Januarius and Mary Ann Mechtel; brothers-in-law Timothy Mechtel, and Anthony Mechtel; and nephew Shawn Cockerham.

He is survived by his loving family: wife Victoria Wildung of Cologne; parents Mary Lou and Dale Wildung of Cologne; sisters and brother-in-law Wendy Wildung of Cologne, and Melissa and Adrian Pozzi of Cologne; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Jackie Mechtel Green Isle, Judy Mechtel of New Germany, Charles and Sue Mechtel of Cibolo, TX, Rebecca and Mark Schuettpelz of Norwood Young America, and Renee Bosma (fiancé: Troy Pederson) of Cologne; nieces and nephews; aunts and uncles; other relatives; and many dear friends.

Mass of Christian Burial took place Saturday, Nov. 28 at 11 a.m. at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Cologne with Fr. Gregory Abbott as celebrant. There was visitation at the church Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., and Saturday one hour prior to the Mass. Interment was in the church cemetery.

Serving as casket bearers were Nate Pysick, Chuck Storms, Tom Lobitz, Dan Widmer, Pat Widmer, Adrian Pozzi and Bernie Shambour Jr.

Arrangements were with the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia; www.johnsonfh.com.

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