Marie Joyce Tesch, age 91, of Janesville, died peacefully on Friday morning, January 22, 2021 at Bridgewater at Janesville.
Born on October 19, 1929 in Minneapolis to James and Marion (Hansen) Brown, she was baptized on April 18, 1930 in Litchfield. When Marie was two years, old her family moved to Janesville, where she was confirmed on April 18, 1943 at Trinity Lutheran Church. She attended Trinity Lutheran School and Janesville High School, graduating with the class of 1947. On October 5, 1947, Marie was united in marriage to Harold Tesch at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville. Marie and Harold lived their entire married life in the Waldorf area and shared 71 years of marriage before Harold passed away on February 15, 2019.
Marie worked at the EF Johnson Company for eight years before staying home to raise her family. Later in life she furthered her education at the University of Minnesota in Waseca, where she studied Horticulture. Marie owned and operated Marie’s Floral out of her home before opening Grass Roots Floral in Janesville, which she operated from 1985 – 1993 and later worked at Dick’s Floral in Wells. Marie was very active in her community, having served as president of the Janesville Chamber of Commerce and Waldorf American Legion Auxiliary. She was also a member of the Janesville Rotary Club, Calamity Jane Extension Club of Waldorf, Waldorf and Waseca Area Senior Citizens, Waldorf Red Hats, and was a 4H leader for the Waldorf Peppy Peppers for many years. Marie had been an active member of First Lutheran Church in Waldorf, where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and was active with the Ladies Aid. She enjoyed bowling, square and line dancing and participated in the choir and bell choir at Colony Court.
Marie is survived by her children: Clifford Tesch of New Richland, Audrey (Doug) Bruender of Waseca, Curtis (Sara Roemhildt) Tesch of Waseca, Diane (Bill) Radil of Montgomery; grandchildren: Angie (Tim) Swanson, Lori Bruender, James (Amanda) Bruender, Daniel (Breanna) Bruender, Jacob (Julia) Bruender, Allison Tesch, Drew Tesch, Jeremy (Sara) Lindeman, Matthew Lindeman, and Amanda (Tanner) Schuldt; 12 great grandchildren; brother, Stephen (Shirley) Brown of Las Vegas, NV; sisters: Betty O’Leary of Minneapolis and Virginia Strachota of St. Louis Park; sister-in-law, Darlene Tesch of Waldorf; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by her parents and husband.
A graveside service and celebration of life will be held on a later date.
Arrangements are being completed by Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Janesville. www.dennisfuneralhomes.com