Martha Louise Tegeler

Surrounded by family, Martha Louise Tegeler, 97, of Winston-Salem, NC, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. She was born on February 15, 1929, in Kansas City, KS, to the late Philip John, and Margaret Elizabeth Schmidt Wagner. As a people person, Martha was always active in her local Lutheran congregations (particularly Trinity Lutheran, Springfield, MO, Desert Foothills Lutheran, Scottsdale, AZ, and St. John’s Lutheran, Winston-Salem, NC). She sang alto in the choir, enjoyed the Lutheran Women Missionary League, and helped with Sunday School, Midweek School, College Ministries, and storytelling for the day school, over the years. She was a 4th grade elementary school teacher for several decades in Nixa, MO, and remained an avid reader throughout her life. Martha established a home built on love of God, family, and others, and in later years was devoted to her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Martha modeled a life of faith, kindness, humility, hospitality, patience, gratitude, smiles, hugs, and laughter, seeing and expecting the best in people, while serving as a persistent prayer warrior for those she loved, and anyone else in need. All who spent time with her were better because of it, benefiting from her wisdom, positive attitude, and caring influence. The family will miss her presence, her smile, and her laughter, but rejoices knowing that she is now in Heaven, and will carry her sweet spirit in our hearts while striving daily to emulate the amazing example she set.

In addition to her parents, Martha was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Charles Herman "Charlie" Tegeler, III; sisters, Margaret Livingston, and Ruth Pohl, and brothers Philip Wagner, and Paul Wagner; her daughter, Rebecca Louise Tegeler Gisburne Baker, and son in law, Robert Gisburne.

Relatives left to cherish her memory include son, Charles Herman "Chuck" Tegeler, IV, and wife, Debra Renee Tegeler, of Winston-Salem; grandchildren, Christopher John Tegeler, and wife Parker Kelly Tegeler, and Catherine Louise Tegeler, of Winston-Salem; great-grandchildren, John Sherwood "Jack" Tegeler, and Stanhope "Stan" Charles Tegeler; son in law, Rick Baker of Colorado; multiple nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate her life and faith will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 3 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, with a reception to follow. Pastor Tyson Labuhn will officiate.

The family is extremely thankful for wonderful in-home care provided for Martha by Cynthia "Cyndi" Henao, and her team during the last seven months.

Online condolences may be sent to the Tegeler family at www.hayworth-miller.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to:

St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2415 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27013 www.stjohnsws.com

Lutheran Hour Ministries https://www.lhm.org

Becky Baker Foundation www.beckybakerfoundation.org