Wayne William Tesch, age 82, of Fremont, passed away unexpectedly early Tuesday morning, March 25, 2014, as a result of a fire in his home.
Wayne was born on June 16, 1931, in Waushara County, Town of Saxeville, the son of Alfred and Lena (Gollnick) Tesch. He was baptized on July 5, 1931, and confirmed March 25, 1945, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, in West Bloomfield, by Rev. C.H. Clausing. Wayne was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Readfield, since his marriage to Joyce Selma Steckling on June 1, 1957. They were married by Rev. H.A. Kahrs, of Winneconne, in the absence of Zion’s Pastor Armin Engel. Their marriage blessed them with two loving children, a son, Gregory Wayne, and a daughter, Melody Joyce. In 1964, Wayne and Joyce purchased Crystal Fountain School. They moved there in 1970 and remodeled it into a two-story home. Wayne’s first jobs were working for a farmer, cheese factories and Culligan. In 1964, he became self-employed in the sales and service of water conditioners and pumps. In 1988, he went into the trucking and excavating business. In 1995, at age 64, Wayne sold his excavating equipment but still wasn’t ready to retire, so he purchased a flatbed truck and hauled cars, mainly for Rawhide Boys Ranch and private customers. He retired in 2007, at age 76, due to failing health. Wayne also did custom snow plowing for 30 years. He enjoyed classic cars, going to car shows, playing cards and visiting with family and friends.
Wayne is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joyce; one son, Gregory Tesch, Fremont, and special friend, Susie Meiers, New London; one daughter, Melody (Stuart) Graf, Greenville; one grandson, Derrick Tesch, Hilbert and his special friend, Tiffany Breit, Appleton; one step-grandson, Jake Graf, Wausau; four sisters: Lorraine Strandlie, Edgerton; Lois Meshak, and special friend, Al Mertes, Stevens Point; La Dean (Harold) Niebauer, Oshkosh; and Caroline (Duane) Schmudlach, Berlin; a brother, David (Mary) Tesch, Appleton; also survived by nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews and many friends. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Lena Tesch; his in-laws, Henry and Mabel (Eake) Steckling; his paternal grandparents, Carl and Anna (Behm) Tesch; his maternal grandparents, William and Emma (Schmidt) Gollnick; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Floyd and Lois Tesch and Wilbur and Ramona Tesch; two brothers-in-law, John Meshak and LaVerne Strandlie; two godsons and nephews, Robert Niebauer and Ronald Tesch; two nieces, Beth Ann Tesch and Karen Niebauer; one great-niece, Lisa Marie Wilson; one step great-nephew, Ben Betro, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 29, 2014, at 11:00 a.m., at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, N985 County Rd. W, Readfield. Pastor Peter Kesting officiated. Burial will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation was held on Friday, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Lewin Funeral Home, Fremont; and on Saturday, at the church, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. A memorial fund has been established for Zion Lutheran Church and Cemetery.