Jeffrey B. Alexander

The Renaissance- “A Modern “Renaissance Man”

“ A man can do all things if he but wills them.” – Leon Battista Alberti *

Jeff Alexander was the second of seven children, born August 23, 1950, in idyllic, historic Winterset, Iowa, a town of 5,000, and the birthplace of John Wayne and George Stout.

He grew up on a typical sized 160-acre farm, fishing or ice-skating on the pond, building snow forts with his siblings, tunneling mazes inside the hay barn,  joining 4-H, harvesting corn and soybeans, baling hay, and raising cattle and hogs with his three brothers and dad.

When he graduated from Winterset High School in 1968, Jeff received a wrestling scholarship at Augustana College in Rock Island IL. During an intramural event he wrestled Dan Gable, scored 2 pts and managed not to get pinned.  In 1970, he transferred to the University of Houston TX, graduating with a political science degree in 1974.

During Jeff’s first year or two at the University of Houston he got a gig transporting the University’s live mascot, a cougar named Shasta III to football games in his vintage orange Volkswagen van. The following year he re-directed his well-rounded athleticism in the most unique and surprising of ways and campaigned for the head cheerleader position, winning this coveted position two years in a row.  In the summers he worked as a gymnastics-and-cheer instructor for the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) summer camps.

In 1974, Jeff was brought in on the ground floor to help develop Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA), a new competitor to NCA and the business world of cheerleading, based in Memphis, Tennessee. Years later Jeff’s career made yet another unexpected turn when UCA branched into the textile business to specialize in the manufacturing of cheerleader uniforms. This complex new expansion held great appeal for Jeff. He researched in depth locations around the country, ultimately landing in Winona, Minnesota, in part due to the rich historic textile industry and skilled labor pool still in existence and, in part, because he fell in love with the bluffs, water and people of Wisconsin and Minnesota.

In the 1980’s, Jeff began his own cheerleading uniform business, Teammates, which he sold, and in 1990 began another cheerleading business, Elite Uniforms in 1990.  Most of his off-time was spent on his houseboat in La Crosse during those years, entertaining friends, or pheasant hunting with his ever-faithful Lab, Deker Dog, by his side. A devoted son, Jeff relished the innumerable visits by mother Marge.

In the early 2000’s, Jeff began to exhibit undiagnosed symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. As his business came to a close in 2006, he yearned for more spiritual connection and joined the Northern Presbyterian Church led by Pastor Scott Skogen.  He served as a deacon, spending countless hours throughout the years advocating for those within the congregation in numerous ways. It is there he met Bernadette Taylor, Associate Professor of Microbiology at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse.

Jeff had a unique ability to communicate and connect with people from all walks of life.  A great story-teller, he always left us wanting to hear more.

His natural leadership qualities; charisma; humor; and inquisitive brain power, both creatively and analytically, were an innate part of who he was.  He worked hard and he played hard.  He was notoriously late—for nearly everything.  His capacity for stubbornness knew few bounds. He was passionate about sports, music, politics, the great outdoors, nature walks, feeding his birds and chubby gray squirrels, raising and releasing monarchs with Bernadette, working in the yard, being a good neighbor and an informed citizen of this city, country and planet.

The strength of Jeff’s will and sheer grit never waivered during his extended battle to overcome Parkinson’s disease as it manifested and ravaged over the many years. He was truly blessed to have the expertise and support of Gundersen Hospital’s Medical Specialty Unit, neurologist Dr. Rachel Biemiller, spiritual leader Pastor Scott, advocate and retired physician Bob Ettinger, his beloved, patient and devoted Bernadette, and their many kind, attentive neighbors.

Jeffrey Bruce passed peacefully on Tuesday, March 21 ^st , 2023 at Gundersen Hospital.  His older brother Greg passed this same day two years prior. Jeff is also preceded by youngest sister Stacey (Buffy), and parents Marge and Myles.  Four siblings remain: Danny (Gayle) of Winterset IA, Julie Breda of Lake Charles LA, David (Sue) of Aurora CO, and Jill Alexander of Winterset IA; Uncle Ronnie of Dexter IA, and loving nieces and nephews Sasha, Nathan, Hillary, Adam, Sarah, Natalie, Jared and Jonathan.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at North Presbyterian Church with Pastor Scott Skogen officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be held at a later date in Winterset, IA.

In lieu of flowers, Jeff’s family plans to collaborate with Gundersen Hospital’s Medical Specialty Unit to enhance long-term stay Parkinson’s and other dementia patients’ well-being and quality of life.  Contributions and condolences can be sent care of Bernadette Taylor, to 331 24 ^th Street North, La Crosse WI 54601.  Contributions can be made to: Bernadette Taylor.