Obit: Tesmer, John F. (1881 - 1938)

Contact: History Buffs

Surnames: Tesmer, Hoffmann, Frome, Steinwand, Leonhardt, Smith, Roth, Kademan, Franz, Hafer, Behning, Wolf, Lenhardt, Rudolf, Nielson, Risch, DeBuhr, Schultz, Detjen, Fraser, Hegg, Frocks, Olson, Fraser, Will, Burkhardt, Olves, Harms

----Sources: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) 09/15/1938

Tesmer, John F. (26 Oct. 1881 - 9 Sept. 1938)

John F. Tesmer, a prominent and popular business man of Colby, passed away Friday morning at 2:00 A.M., a heart ailment of one week’s duration being the cause of his departure to the distant shore. His sudden death was quite a shock to the members of his family, relatives and friends and the news of his departure was received with sorrow by the entire community. Funeral services were held at Zion Lutheran church Monday afternoon, Rev. O. Hoffmann officiating, and internment was made in the Colby cemetery. Pall bearers were Theo. Frome, Herbert Steinwand, Willard Frome, John Leonhardt, Pat Smith and Milford Frome. Those in charge of the flowers were Norma Roth, Leona Kademan and Margaret Franz.

Mr. Tesmer, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Tesmer, was born in Colby October 26, 1881, thus reaching the age of 56 years, 10 months and 14 days. He lived here all his life. He was married to Miss Ida Frome at Colby Oct. 25, 1905. He was a prominent cheesemaker here until about three years ago when he sold his factory. However, he retained his interest in the Colby Oil company which he and his brother in law, Hugo Frome, operated.

He is survived by Mrs. Tesmer, two sons, Woodrow and Junior, of Colby, two daughters, Mrs. W. R. Hafer and Mrs. H. H. Behning of West Allis and two grand children. Also three sisters and three brothers - Mrs. John Leonhardt of Medford, Wm. Tesmer of Colby, August Tesmer of Spencer, Mrs. John Wolf of Colby, Mrs. Ed. Smith of Marshfield and Louis Tesmer of Platteville.

The deceased was a man of strong character who under all circumstances walked in the well beaten path of righteousness. He was of a congenial disposition and an honorable gentleman, always extending a cordial greeting to all. He commanded the respect of all sects and classes of people as the attendance at his funeral verified.

Out of town people here for the funeral services were Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Hafer, son, Kenneth, daughter, Marilyn, and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Behning of West Allis, Mr. and Mrs. John Lenhardt and son, Walter, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Rudolf, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Rudolf and children, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Leonhardt and son, all of Medford, Mr. and Mrs. John Leonhardt, Jr., of Stratford, Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Smith and daughter, Immogem, and son, Ed., Jr., Donald and Tommy, Mr. and Mrs. Pat Smith and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Nielson, all of Marshfield, Mr. and Mrs. August Tesmer of Spencer, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Tesmer of Platteville, Mrs. Minnie Risch, Mr. and Mrs. Herman DeBuhr and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Risch, all of Milwaukee, Mr. and Mrs. Gottlieb Schultz of Spencer, Otto Detjen, Mr. and Mrs. Al. Fraser, Mr. and Mrs. Ted Hegg and Mrs. Kurt Frocks, all of Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. Olson of Ogema, Mr. and Mrs. Archie Fraser of Mosinee, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Frome of Manitowoc, Mr. and Mrs. John Will, Louis Burkhardt, Mrs. Hugo Olves and Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Harms, all of Sheboygan, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Harms of Neillsville, Mrs. Arthur Harms of Potter and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Tesmer of Owen, Wis.