Ted Sigtenhorst

Ted Sigtenhorst of Longville, MN passed away early Sunday, June 9, 2019 at his home in Longville after a valiant 16-month battle against colon cancer.  

Ted grew up in Blue Island, IL and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Forestry.  He joined the ROTC in college and was inducted into the Navy after graduation.  Ted spent 3 years on active duty and did several in-country tours in Vietnam, leading a unit that established communications towers used for navigation.  He was honorably discharged with a rank of Lieutenant.  

Ted’s love of flying began in his late teens and continued during his college and naval years.  After discharge he became a flight instructor at the University of Illinois.  In 1979 he was hired as a pilot by United Airlines.  In his 24-year career, he flew Boeing 727s, 737s and was a 777 Captain when he retired.

Ted’s parents owned the Willow Lake Hideaway Resort north of Remer for many years and Ted spent his summers helping his parents run the resort.  He met his wife Linda there in 1963.  Their paths crossed, separated, and re-crossed, but came back together for good when they married in 1994.  When Ted retired, there was no doubt in his mind he wanted to move back Up North, so they moved to Woman Lake in 2007.  He bought a Beechcraft V-Tail Bonanza which was his pride and joy.  Ted and Linda enjoyed many trips in the Bonanza, including vacations with fellow pilot couples in the Bahamas.

Ted faced his diagnosis with grace, dignity and determination.  

Ted is survived by his wife Linda, sister Barbara (Dick) Hansen, brother-in-law John (Alice) Carrara, nephew Rick (Michelle) Hansen, nieces Lindsay (Mark) Wilma, Diane Carrara and Michele Antczak, 8 grandnieces/nephews, 1 great-grandniece, and 1 great-grandnephew.

Ted’s ashes will be interred at Mount Vernon Memorial Park in Lemont, IL.  An informal celebration of Ted’s life will be held on Sunday, June 30 from 2-4 pm in Hangar 28 at the Longville Airport.  Friends are invited to share stories about Ted and enjoy each other’s company at a location that he loved.

Donations in Ted’s memory can be made to the Longville Area Food Shelf or to Paws + Claws Rescue and Resort.  Services provided by Dennis Funeral Home / Midwest Cremation Association of Walker and Longville (www.dennisfuneralhome.com) .

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