Darlene Tesch, age 92 of rural Waldorf, MN was called to her heavenly home on November 15, 2023.
Darlene Dorothy, the first-born child of Leonard and Tillie (Gilster) Proehl entered this world on October 16, 1931 on their farm north of Waldorf in Freedom Township, Waseca County. She was baptized on November 29, 1931, and later confirmed in her Lutheran faith on June 18, 1944 at First Lutheran Church, Waldorf. Darlene’s mother wrote in her confirmation Bible, “There is a great day to come when you will be able to join parents, sister, and friends and all who are so dear, in one beautiful land with our Dear Savior Jesus, never to part again.”
Darlene lived within two miles of Waldorf her entire life. As a young child, her family moved to a farm south of Waldorf. While growing up, she enjoyed helping her father in the fields and could drive their team of horses with ease. Darlene was valedictorian of the Waldorf High School graduating class of 1949.
Upon her marriage to Armin Tesch on September 29, 1950, she moved to their farm east of Waldorf, where she spent the rest of her life. Darlene and Armin worked side-by-side on their crop and dairy farm, where they raised five children. They were blessed with 69 years together.
Darlene lived a life of service to others. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School; and was a member of First Lutheran Ladies Aid and Women in Mission, holding various offices at the local and circuit levels. She was also active in the Republican Party and Farm Bureau. After Armin and Darlene retired from the farm operation, they dedicated more time to community service and became involved with the Janesville Trinity Lutheran Mission Society. Their retirement travel was usually based on volunteering, which included Alaska, mission trips to Mexico, and various locations in the southern United States to help with hurricane clean-up and rebuilding.
Darlene was raised in the years of the Great Depression and war rationing when resources were often scarce. She learned at a young age to save, conserve, re-use, and re-purpose as much as possible, a habit which continued throughout her life. She was a prolific seamstress. Her many boxes of fabric included scraps of material saved from the clothes she had sewn for her children and grandchildren. Later, when she sewed quilts for missions, her family would search the quilt tops for pieces of fabric from their childhood clothing.
Grandma Tesch stitched hours of love into the special quilts she made for each of her grandchildren: Julie Tesch, Todd Pierce, Tony Pierce, Amanda Tesch, Erin Koshiol, Derrick Sommers, Adam Przybilla, Danyelle Caliguire, and Kyle Sommers.
Visits and hugs from her great-grandchildren: McKayla Pierce, Arlen Pierce, Lexi Kanewischer, Matthew Koshiol, Hannah Sommers, Brooke Koshiol, Abby Sommers, Stella Caliguire, and Ana Przybilla, brought Darlene great joy.
She enjoyed music. When family and friends visited Darlene in her later years, she was usually found enjoying songs from her collection of music CD’s.
Darlene is survived by her children: Marilyn (Dean) Pierce of Woodbury, Kathy Tesch of Cold Spring, Marty (Jan) Tesch of Waldorf, and Bunny (Rick) Sommers of Owatonna; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters Bernita Kohnert and Beverly (LeRoy) Janike; brother Eldean Proehl; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; 22-month-old sister Genelle Proehl; son Arlen Tesch in 1981; great-granddaughter Addison Sommers; and brothers- and sisters-in law.
Visitation was from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, November 19, 2023 at the State Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca. Visitation continued for one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.
Funeral service was at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 20, 2023 at First Lutheran Church in Waldorf with Rev. Michael Matthews officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church or donor’s choice.
Darlene’s family thanks all who supported her with personal care, visits, cards, and kindness during her days at the Lakeshore care facility in Waseca. Thank you also to Brighton Hospice.