Teddi Lundgren Vala of 702 Bradford St., Marble Rock died Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, at her home in Marble Rock. There are no services being planned and cremation has taken place.

Theodora Jean Lundgren was born to Carl and Else Lundgren Sept. 23, 1943, in Elizabeth, Union County, N.J. She began her career as a dancer (the youngest) on Broadway and performed in West Side Story, Destry Rides a Again, Red Head and others before graduating from Abraham Clark High School (Roselle, N.J.) in 1961.

She lived and worked in New Jersey as an executive secretary for Wilcolator and then “The Money Store” until 1971, when she suffered injuries from a traffic accident in Florida while visiting her parents. She remained in Florida and after a long recuperation continued as an executive secretary and became involved with community theater in the area where she met her husband Michael (from Rockford). They were married July 1, 1977 in Sarasota, Fla., and that fall moved to Hawaii, where she continued her executive secretarial skills with the NAPA distribution center while her husband worked for Hawaiian Printing, a division of Vanier Graphics.

The couple moved to San Antonio, Texas, in 1982, accepting a transfer when Vanier Graphics opened a new plant. While in Hawaii the couple developed a wood crafting business (exotic hardwood boxes) and in Texas Teddi opened a gift shop, Rare Discovery, selling her husband’s woodcrafts, supplemented with appropriate and unique hand crafted art. Within the year Michael resigned from Vanier and the couple went full time in the gift and craft business, traveling to art shows, producing and selling a succession of crafts.

Around 1986 Teddi developed her own craft — exquisite and unique hair pieces, earrings and broaches — made from natural feathers from wild and exotic birds. Her work was featured in the November 1990 issue Sunshine Artist, a national publication. And she also became the Texas (and later Iowa) reporter for that magazine. Many artists and craftsmen still thank her for her vital information and the wit and charm in her column.

The couple moved to Marble Rock in 1988, continuing in their travels coast to coast, transitioning from feather art to hardwood kaleidoscopes. Teddi not only helped with the production of the scopes, but also expertly handled the enormous task of almost daily applying and booking shows, the bookkeeping and actual sales at the shows. During this time the couple participated in some of the finest shows in at least 33 states. In 1996, in an effort to reduce the degree and distance of travel, Teddi developed a unique and highly successful soy candle, using natural fragrance and essential oils. Some may remember her kiosk during the Christmas seasons at Southbridge Mall in Mason City, and the feature article in the Globe Gazette on Dec. 18, 1999.

Failing health precluded continuing with the candle production, traveling, and selling at shows after 2002 and instead some may remember Teddi at local auctions, enthusiastically bidding on almost anything, and particularly collectible glassware. She ran a lively and successful business on Ebay. Michael continued producing kaleidoscopes on a limited basis and also repaired and restored antique and collectible cuckoo clocks. When no longer able to get to the auctions, she continued the Ebay business with scopes and clocks.

By 2006 her medical needs made scope and clock production more and more difficult. Instead of giving up, she discovered a whole new area in which to excel. She became a home agent for a California flower company, taking phone sales and customer service over the internet. The computer was her window to the world. In spite of the increasing, enormous physical restrictions in later life, she remained as active, enthusiastic and gregarious as the Broadway show dancer. She leaves literally hundreds of dear friends nationwide—indeed world wide.

She was preceded in death by her father in August 1982 and 20 years almost to the day by her mother in 2002.

She is survived by three cousins, Gail, Ellen and Joan, and her husband, Michael, and feathered son, Vinnie.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Reid’s Funeral Chapel, 423 Bradford St., Marble Rock, 888-823-REID.