Jeffrey Alan Topel

Monday, December 15, 2025, was the day God chose to promote Jeffrey Alan Topel to his forever home.

Jeff was born on November 4, 1950, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Fred E. and Dorothy A. Topel.

He is survived by his wife, Dottie, and four sons, Josh (Cassidy), Justin (Gretchen), Jeffrey James, and Benjamin (Kerry) – who blessed the family with Cohen James – now one year old. A son, Michael Jon preceded him January 15, 2000. Jeff is also survived by a loving, caring family, siblings Fred R. (Dick) Topel (Max), Tarra Shultz (Jim), Kristy Pepin (Larry), Keith (Judy) that he loved dearly. Six nieces and five nephews and many great nieces and nephews. Jeff was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December 2022. He chose to research ways to support his body to fight this invader by a clean, organic diet, supplements and many modalities to build immunities under the care and direction of health professionals.

He was very proactive, maintained his faith in God and had a very positive attitude. He continued to work as a machinist at Woodward, INC. He then decided to take a short-term leave in October 2025 to focus on his health needs.

Jeff was invited to a friend's church as a young teenager and began reading the Bible he was given. The verse that spoke to his spirit was in Romans 10:9-10 … "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Jeff made a commitment then to learn more about the Lord and focused on following the Lord's plan for his life. After graduating from Monticello High School, he was given the invitation to stay at a retired couple's house in Lakeland, Florida to attend Southeastern Bible College. To pay for his education, he sold Christian books and Bible's door to door in the southern states. He returned to North Central Bible College in Minneapolis and finished his four-year degree in May 1973.

June 2, 1973, Jeff married Dottie O'Neil. He worked at Decorative Services in Monticello installing draperies and worked part time at a Christian School in Monticello. People knew him to have integrity and would only buy from the small-town company if Jeff would measure and give them an estimate. He worked it out with his boss before he would take the jobs. It brought business to the company, so Jeff continued to be an employee there and his side business grew so he was able to save money. Jeff had always wanted to live out west and in October 1979, the couple, 3 boys, and a fourth son, Jeffrey, soon to be born, moved to Loveland, Colorado.

A Huge blessing was Jeff being hired at Woodward Governor, later the name was changed to Woodward, INC., and he just completed 46 years, 1 month, and 6 days. He spoke often of how grateful he was for the quality supervisors and friendly coworkers. We prayed regularly that God would prosper the company.

We are so blessed to have received abundant love and support from our brothers and sisters, nieces, and nephews, our friends, neighbors, co-workers of Jeff's. Chris Goes and staff at Goes Funeral Care, have such an incredible caring and supportive gift for coming alongside us at such a difficult and painful time in our lives. They treat us as if it was their own family member who has passed. I will always be grateful for their guidance and love!

Our family wishes to honor Jeff by giving our thoughts of what he meant to our live;.
"As Jeff's wife of over fifty-two years, I will miss his beautiful smile, his dedication to his family, our time we spent praying for our family and loved ones. We had many discussions about the goodness of God to us until the wee hours of the morning. I now try to focus on how he is out of pain and more joyful than he's ever been."

Josh: "Something I most appreciate about my dad was all the ways he said to us "Follow me as I follow Christ"

Cassidy: "My father-in-law reminded me of Philippians 4:5 "Let your gentleness be evident to all." He brought a sense of calm to every interaction, being slow to speak and quick to listen and ask questions. I admire that deeply"

Justin: Dad was a man of integrity and honor who always put everyone else's needs first before his own."

Gretchen: "I will admire my father-in-law forever for his consistent leadership and ability to flow right into prayer, submitting all challenges that we faced, to our father God, with a humble heart and a gentle spirit."

Jeffrey James: "My Dad was funny at times. I will miss him every day. He would ask me many times during the day how I am doing when he was the one in pain. I love that Dad told me he felt safer when I came along with Mom to his many appointments. I Love You, Dad! "

Benjamin: "The main thing that stood out to me about Dad is that he is a man of Godly character. Doing what is right was important to him. I can't recall ever hearing him say anything negative about anyone. I never saw him waiver in his faith in Jesus Christ. He was very intentional to connect with those he loved and cared about."

Kerry: My father-in-law was deeply intentional in prayer, lifting each of us up with care and devotion.

In lieu of flowers
A memorial fund has been planned to continue support to several ministries that were important to Jeff .
The Address for that fund can be sent to:
Topel Family
1518 Sam Houston Circle
Fort Collins, CO 80526

To view the livestream of the service, please visit this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0-0lU3E-do