Elaine S. TESSMANN

TESSMANN, Elaine S.
Elaine S. Tessmann, 91, widow of Otto Tessmann, formerly of Newington, died Thursday, October 3, 2013, at Harrington Court in Colchester. Born in New Orleans, LA, she was the daughter of Edward H. and Georgine (Ackermann) Stoll. Elaine graduated from Louisiana State University, Class of 1942, and worked in New Orleans during World War II. In 1947, she took a position at The Institute of Living in Hartford. She met Otto Tessmann at Christ Lutheran Church in Hartford. They married on July 2, 1948, in New Orleans and resided in West Hartford until their move to Newington in 1953. There she resided until 2008. Elaine was the founding director of the Bethany Lutheran Church Nursery School where she taught for 17 years, retiring in 1977. She believed in serving the Lord and was an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church in West Hartford. She had taught Sunday school from the age of 12. She enjoyed cooking, sewing and art. She and Otto were members of the Newington Square Dance Club. Elaine was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She leaves two daughters and their husbands, Elaine and Alvin Macke and Gayle and Peter Solari all of Lebanon, CT. She also leaves her sister Norma Stoll of Colchester; her grandchildren, Carolyn Schwenzer, Eric Macke, Julie Dignazio, Curt Macke, Daniel Solari, Bret Macke, Jenna Motta, and Joye Solari; and thirteen great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by two brothers, Edward Stoll and Reverend Roy Stoll.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2013, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 321 Village Hill Road, Lebanon, CT. Burial at the State Veterans' Cemetery, Middletown will be private. Calling hours will be Monday, 5-7 p.m. at the Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home, 136 South Main Street, West Hartford, CT and Tuesday morning one hour prior to the service at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made to The Lutheran Hour. For directions and online condolences, please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com.