Do You Really Know Todd?
Embedded Files
Sara Konradi
Team Chapnick
Story Summary
_______________________________________
Most Sedalians know who Todd Kreisel is — a tattoo artist who refurbishes old vehicles, likes to joke around at the bar and drives a red Delta convertible with a roaring engine. When Todd passes through town, people wave at him. He is commonly described as a gregarious, vibrant and happy character. Yet Todd himself says he is a private person who has “seen a lot of ugly shit,” he said.
The 47-year-old was abandoned at the hospital as a baby and cannot count how many lives around him have ended over the years. “Death follows me wherever I go,” he said. The day his father died, on Sept. 26, 2023, he said, “It’s cool. It’s just another day.” On that day, he continued life as normal and brought his pitbull Broadus to the vet. Along the way, he encountered more shadows from his past. He drove on Highway 65, where his 16-year-old sister Katherine was killed by a drunk driver in 2000. Todd said his dad always blamed him for the accident because she was on her way to see him.
“Ever had that feeling that the cards have never been in your favor, but you're still playing? Why not just have a couple of beers and talk to a few people,” Todd said, “It keeps my mind off of shit, you know.”
Todd lives in downtown Sedalia, Mo. He has a small greenhouse on his deck, takes care of his three dogs—Broadus, Willie and Shrek—and loves his daughter Jessica, 17, who lives with her friend in Higginsville, Mo. He enjoys spending time with his girlfriend Nichole Hutchings, 38, who is one of the few individuals he lets into his house.
Todd Kreisel, 47, returns to Sedalia, Mo., from his pitbull Broadus’s vet in Warsaw, Mo., the same day that his father passed away on Sept. 26, 2023. He drives on Highway 65, the road where his 16-year-old sister Katherine died in a car accident in 2000.
Todd, middle, speaks to Foster, left, and Booze at Fitters 5th Street Pub.
Todd and his girlfriend of one year, Nichole Hutchings, 38, spend time at Todd’s home after she gets off work. Nichole is one of the few people he lets into his home.
Todd keeps a photo of his 17-year-old daughter, Jessica, on the television stand in his home. Jessica lives in Higginsville, Mo., with one of her friends. Todd sees her every couple of weeks.
Todd holds the hands of his grandpa Leonard Hysterberg, 99, at a nursing home in Cole Camp, Mo.
Todd feeds his pitbull Broadus in his living room.
Todd strokes his English bulldog, Willie, on the deck of his home. He started growing vegetables during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Todd at Fitters 5th Street Pub on the evening his father died. Fitters is one of his favorite bars.
Todd and Nichole at Fitters 5th Street Pub. Their relationship began after a night at the bar in 2022.
Pitbull Broadus waits for his owner, Todd outside a veterinary office in Warsaw, Mo. Todd refurbishes old vehicles, and fellow Sedalians recognize his red Delta convertible with its roaring engine.
Todd stands next to the grave of his sister, Katherine Kreisel. Katherine was killed by a drunk driver in 2000 when she was 16 years old. His father, who died a few days prior, will be buried next to her. Todd had not been to the cemetery in 13 years. “This has always been our road because of that tree,” Todd said. “It’s ugly but easy to spot, just like me.”
Brian Kratzer, Co-Director
Alyssa Schukar, Co-Director
Hany Hawasly, Technical Director
Copyright © MMXVIII Missouri Photo Workshop
All rights reserved, content not to be repurposed without permission.
Page updated
Report abuse