Shirley Mae (Noyes) Tessmann (1942-2012)

Shirley Mae Tessmann, age 86, a resident of Racine, died Saturday December 29, 2012 at Wheaton Franciscan Medical Center.

Shirley was born on January 31, 1922 to the late Ira and Evelyn (Jensen) Noyes. On February 21, 1942 she married Henry Edwards. He died in July of 1945. On October 19, 1946, she married Otto Tessmann. He preceded her in death on December 29, 1986.

Shirley lived all of her life in Racine. She was a stay at home mother and housewife and she took on odd jobs at various times in her life. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, puzzles and travel. Her childrens’ homes are filled with the wonderful handcrafted items that she had made. Shirley and Otto loved to go camping up north and she enjoyed traveling to the Ozarks to see shows.

Shirley is survived by three sons Eugene (Marilyn) Tessmann of Pembine WI, John (Terri) Tessmann of Racine, Daniel (Crystal) Tessmann of Somers, and one daughter Mary Ann (Jack) Slaasted of Garden MI. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren; Rebecca (Norb) Smits, Debbie (John) Retzlaff, Thomas (Kelley) Tessmann, Rachel (Nathan) Riddell, Joshua Slaasted, Meaghan Tessmann, Peter Tessmann, Kaeleigh Tessmann, Tiffany Tessmann, Ryan (Jenna) Tessmann and Tyler Tessmann; many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Shirley is further survived by one sister Doris Duncan of Racine, a special niece Crystal Orttel, and many other  nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two sons, Henry Edward Tessmann and Dennis Tessmann.

A memorial service will take place on Friday January 4, 2013 at 11:00 am, at the West Lawn Memorial Park Chapel located at 9000-Washington Avenue in Racine.