Huntley windsurfer died doing what he loved

A Huntley congregation is mourning the death of one of its founding members.

Jeffrey Meissner, a charter member of the Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church, was killed Monday in an apparent windsurfing accident in Jefferson County, Wis.

The 40-year-old massage therapist was reported missing Monday night, and authorities were told he might be windsurfing on Lake Koshkonong.

Authorities found Meissner's car on the north shore of the lake and discovered a sail and surfboard around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Meissner's body was found shortly thereafter. Meissner was pronounced dead on the scene.

The Huntley resident was serving his second term on the Shepherd of the Prairie church council.

When Meissner missed the Monday night council meeting, his friends suspected something was wrong.

"That was one of the first signs last night that something was wrong because Jeff never misses a council meeting," Pastor Mark Boster said.

An autopsy to determine the cause of Meissner's death is pending.

Meissner grew up in Sussex, a small Wisconsin town 20 miles northwest of Milwaukee.

He got his bachelor's degree at a public school in his home state and earned his master's degree at the State University of New York in Albany.

After finishing school, Meissner returned close to home and got a job at Sportmart in Milwaukee. A transfer brought Meissner to a Vernon Hills franchise -- where he met his wife, Katie.

"I was just in there shopping, and he was waiting on me, and we just hit if off," Katie said on Tuesday.

The couple married in October 2000 and moved to Huntley.

"He was a good person, very involved in his church and loved life," Katie said.

Katie said Jeff was an avid outdoorsman who loved to windsurf and bike.

After spending five years working as a massage therapist in a doctor's office, Meissner started his own practice three years ago in Hoffman Estates.

"That's what he always wanted to do," Katie said.

While Meissner was finding success in his career, he found time to make an impact on his community, helping to organize the Shepherd of the Prairie church in 2001.

Since then, Meissner served on the church council, led in a young couples group at the church, served as church treasurer and played guitar for services.

"He was just a wonderful, wonderful human being and was instrumental in getting our church off the ground," Boster said.

The church has tentatively scheduled a memorial service for 4 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Cosman Cultural Center.

Funeral arrangements at the Nitardy Funeral Home in Fort Atkinson, Wis., are pending.

Memorials can be made to the Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church building fund, 12101 Regency Square Parkway.