Obit: Tesmer, Milford E. (1929 - 2019)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Tesmer, Nagel, Aspen, Moening, Sydnes

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/16/2019

Tesmer, Milford E. (8 November 1929 – 7 January 2019)

Milford E. Tesmer, 89, Fort Atkinson, WI, formerly of Neillsville, passed away on Monday, January 7, 2019, at the Rainbow Hospice Care Center in Johnson Creek.

He was born on November 8, 1929 in Colby, the son of the late Herman and Helen (Nagel) Tesmer.

Milford married Patricia Aspen on December 30, 1950 in Neillsville. She preceded him in death on March 19, 2009.

He was a graduate of the Neillsville High School class of 1947 and joined the Army in 1951 as Military Police officer, serving in the Korean War.

In 1957 Milford joined his brother Raymond in the family construction business, forming Tesmer Construction Corporation. Together they grew it into a successful commercial building firm, spanning several decades.

He retired from the construction business in the mid 1980's, after which he and Patricia divided their time between homes in Wisconsin and the Florida Keys. Never one to sit idle, he made good use of his time in retirement pursuing his two passions: fishing and woodworking. Over the next 30+ years he created over 2,000 unique birdhouses and figure carvings, selling them at regional craft fairs during the summers.

Survivors include his children, Steve (Jill) Tesmer, Paul (Juli) Tesmer both of Fort Atkinson and Jan (Mark) Moennig of Alma Center; 5 grandchildren, Nathan (Noelle) Tesmer, Mike Sydnes, Dario Tesmer, Tyler (Tiffany) Tesmer, Benjamin (Lauren) Tesmer; 5 great-grandchildren, Kaleb, Liam, Ethan, Remington and Ava; sister-in-law, Winifred Tesmer of Port Ritchey, FL; other relatives and friends.

He also was preceded in death by 3 brothers, Robert, Eldred, and Raymond, and 1 sister, Marion, in infancy.

Memorial services will be held in Neillsville at a later date.

If desired, memorials may be made to Rainbow Hospice, Jefferson, WI.