Wesley Tessman

Wesley Tessman

1935 - 2025

Wesley E. Tessman, age 90 of Grand Rapids, MN passed away Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at home, Grand Rapids, MN.

Wesley was born in 1935 in Hettinger, ND to Leo and Esther Tessman and grew up on the family farm in Frazee, MN. On November 16, 1955, Wesley married Sonia Maxine Fuhs in Detroit Lakes, MN. They moved to Grand Rapids, MN in 1955 where they raised their family on Prairie Lake until 2016 when they moved to Majestic Pines Independent Living. Wes worked at Hanna Mining in Nashwauk and National Steel/Keetac in Keewatin until his retirement.

Wes was an amazing man with a heart of gold and helped anyone in need. At Majestic Pines he was known as the puzzle guy doing everything from regular puzzles to 3D puzzles. Throughout his life he was often found in a workshop making birdhouses and different projects and could be heard whistling a happy tune. Wes brought Christmas joy to everyone thru his elaborate outdoor Christmas lights and displays. He loved fishing, deer hunting, and bonfires. He loved movies and popcorn at home with family and at the theatre with friends. Wes had a sense of humor like no other.

He so very much loved his friends at Majestic Pines and his nightly card games, and he dearly loved all of his family and friends, near and far. Wes was a man of great faith in God and couldn't wait to go home to Heaven. He died peacefully surrounded by family. There's now another voice in the choir of Heaven.

Wes is preceded in death by his parents; wife of 65 years, Sonia; brother, Roger Tessman; and grandson, Wesley Tessman.

He is survived by his daughters, Kristi (Tad) Howard of Grand Rapids, Diane (Tim) Skelly of Grand Rapids; sons, Wesley (Toni) of Glenwood, MN, Timothy (Becky) of Siren, WI, Randy of St. Cloud, MN; sister, Ardes (Dale) Kessler; brothers, Jerome (Birdie) Tessman, Gene Tessman; grandchildren, Amy (Barry) Lankow, Kelly (Mike) Shrode, Kristopher (Elaine) Rysavy, Brandon Howard, Stephanie (Christopher) Lipscy, Brianna Howard, Ashley (Josh) Lekson, Alex (Laura) Skelly, Daniel (Kayla) Tessman, Leo Tessman, Emma Tessman; great grandchildren, Mercedes, Ireland, Teagan, and Faith Lipscy, Leah, Ezra, Juniper, and Violet Tessman, Madison Shrode, Cambria Kuck, Avery Lankow, and Lucy Lekson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Sunday, September 14, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 pm at Rowe Funeral Home, Grand Rapids, MN and again on Monday, September 15, 2025, at 11:00am at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Bovey, MN. The funeral service will follow at the church at 12:00pm. Rev. Richard Kelm will officiate. Burial will be at Itasca-Calvary Cemetery, Grand Rapids, MN.

Arrangements are with the Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.