Margarete Taeger, active volunteer

Margarete Hedwig Taeger of Ankeny, Iowa, a former Ridgefielder who was honored nine years ago for her church and community work here, died Tuesday, June 28, 2005, at Mill Pond Health Center in Iowa after a long illness. She was 87 years old.

Mrs. Taeger was born Nov. 21, 1917 in Berlin, Germany, the daughter of Dr. Ernst August Martin and Emilie Helene Barth Martin. She received her bachelor of arts degree from Carlton College in Minnesota and had served as director of a senior center in Agawam, Mass.

She married Hanns H. Taeger on Dec. 20, 1941, in Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany. She was active in church work, especially at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Ridgefield.

In 1996, Mrs. Taeger was named one of three winners of the annual Connecticut Young at Heart awards, which recognizes seniors who live active, healthy lives. She had been nominated by the Rev. John Kjoller, then pastor of St. Andrew’s, for her “unselfish service to her church and community.”

Mrs. Taeger had been a volunteer at Hospice, worked with Literacy Volunteers and helped Meals on Wheels. At St. Andrew’s, she was a Stephen minister, providing counseling for church members. She also served on the church’s property committee.

Mrs. Taeger also enjoyed quilting, sewing and gardening.

Survivors include a daughter, Ina Fuchs; two sons, Dr. Ernest Taeger and Ralph Taeger; four grandsons, Thomas Fuchs, Peter Fuchs, Andrew Fuchs and Stephan Taeger; five granddaughters, Karin Fuchs, Catherine Arnsperger, Elizabeth Schloma, Emily Taeger and Caroline Taeger; five great-grandsons, Evan Fuchs, Matthew Fuchs, Ian Fuchs, Alexander Fuchs and Michael Fuchs; three great-granddaughters, Megan Fuchs, Lucy Schloma and Madeline Schloma; and two sisters, Helene Von Bredow of Laurel, Md., and Doris Schieckel of North Branford; a son-in-law, Dr. Martin Fuchs, and two daughters-in-law, Susan Taeger and Diana Taeger. She was preceded in death by her husband, a grandson SP Erich Taeger, U.S. Army, and a great-granddaughter, Abigail Arnsperger.

Arrangements were handled by the Cremation Society of Eastern Iowa.