Marlys Fay Tesch

Marlys Fay Tesch (Paulsen), of Waukesha, WI, age 90, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at Angels Grace Hospice in Oconomowoc, WI.

Marlys was born on the family farm in Steen, Minnesota on September 18, 1934, the sixth child of Vyron A. and Sadie (Eichner) Paulsen, and was a proud hardworking farm girl who carried a strong hard work ethic throughout her life. She was a 1952 graduate of Hills, MN high school and a 1955 graduate of Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa. She married her college sweetheart and best friend, Richard Tesch, on August 19, 1955 at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Steen, MN.

In her career, Marlys was always a first grade teacher. She taught for 2 years at the start of her teaching career in 1955 in Osseo, MN while Richard finished his studies at the University of Minnesota. In 1957 Richard received an Army missile base posting in Waukesha, where they settled and have lived ever since. Marlys continued her teaching career in Waukesha at Hadfield Elementary for 2 years and for 35 years at Prairie Elementary teaching a total of 39 years before retiring in 1999.

After retiring from teaching she was a volunteer librarian at Prairie Elementary School for many years. Marlys was also a woman of service, dedicated to Salem United Methodist Church where over the years she served on nearly every committee in addition to making the coffee every Sunday. She played guitar and handbells at church, sang in the church choir and served her church community in innumerable ways. Marlys was the driving force behind her artistic husband Dick, who regularly created a multitude of works of art for Salem. Through her church community, Marlys was a proud part "owner" of a senior softball team. She was always generous with her time and talents and her Salem and Prairie Elementary families meant the world to her.

Marlys was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother. Marlys was never one for "lollygagging" and was always on the go. She especially enjoyed time at Badger Games, Brewer games, Door County, and Disney World. Marlys enjoyed reading, music, traveling, skiing, biking and hiking with family and friends. Dick and Marlys spent over 70 years together holding hands and waltzing through life. Marlys was a wonderful mother and was always patient, loving and supportive, balancing the needs of each of her sons. She took great pride in her grandchildren and attended countless sporting events, dance and music recitals, plays and other events.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Tesch, sons Eric Tesch of Oconomowoc, WI and Bryan Tesch (Michelle) of Appleton, WI, grandchildren Aaron, Elijah, Natalie, Emily and Piper Tesch, her sister Jean Stratinger (Paulsen), sister-in-law Delores Paulsen (Stradinger), and many nieces and nephews across the country. She is further survived by hundreds of former students under her love and guidance.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vyron and Sadie Paulsen (Eichner) of Steen, MN, her in-laws, Edward and Selma Tesch (Black) of Danube, MN, her brothers Kenneth, Kermit, Dale and Russell Paulsen, her eldest son, Joel Tesch, and her daughter-in-law: Sara Tesch (Guidinger).

Visitation and Celebration of Life will be at Salem United Methodist Church in Waukesha, WI on June 21, 2025 with visitation starting at 10:00 am and service to follow at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Salem United Methodist Church (salemonthehill.org).

For online condolences please visit www.schramkafuneralhome.com.