William "Bill" TessauGladbrook, IAWilliam "Bill" Tessau, 93, of Gladbrook, IA passed away Sunday, August 27, 2017, at Westbrook Acres, in Gladbrook. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, August 31, 2017, at the Salem Church of Lincoln, in Lincoln, IA. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 30, 2017, at the Anderson Funeral Homes, 405 W. Main St., Marshalltown, IA. Please note that the visitation for Mr. Tessau will be in Marshalltown. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Salem Church of Lincoln, IA or the Iowa State Fair, Blue Ribbon Foundation. The family requests that you send your favorite stories about Bill to Anderson Funeral Home or to Doris Tessau. Online condolences may be sent to
www.andersonfhs.comBill was born on January 24, 1924, to William and Katie (Wrage) Tessau in Marshalltown, IA. He is pre-deceased by his parents; step-mother, Selma (Bly) Tessau and sister, Bernice (Wrage) Sienknecht. Bill lived on his family's farm in the northwest section of Tama County on state road T-47 in Lincoln Township. He began his education in a country school near his home speaking only German and finished his schooling at Gladbrook High School where he met his wife to be, Doris Lynch. Bill and Doris eloped to Lancaster, MO on November 29, 1942, but kept their marriage a secret until the summer of 1943. Together, they enjoyed farming their Century Farm, raising crops, cattle and hogs until his retirement in 1987…at which time they moved into the smaller house located on their farm. In 2008 they moved into a condo in Gladbrook, IA and have resided there ever since. Bill spent his life actively involved in the Lincoln and Gladbrook communities that he loved. He was instrumental in starting and organizing several clubs and civic groups. He served on several local boards and clubs, often in leadership positions. Bill was a life long charter member of the Salem Church in Lincoln, IA. where he was an active participant throughout his life. He enjoyed a variety of hobbies and interests…entertaining himself as well as others throughout his life. He loved people of all ages and was always ready to help and encourage them. Bill loved his family and is survived by his wife of 74 years, Doris Tessau of Gladbrook, IA; his two sons, Craig (Linda) Tessau of West Des Moines, IA; Ryan (Becky) Tessau of Greensboro, NC; and daughter Ronda (Mike) Landt of Zimmerman, MN; six grandchildren: Chad (Mandy) Landt, Melissa Stover (Shane Zekucia), Cody Landt, Mathew (Lisa) Tessau, Brian (Angela) Tessau and Eric (Angie) Tessau…and sixteen great grandchildren: Samantha and Wyatt Landt, Hunter, Ryan and Jackson Stover; Cloee and Tryten Landt; Ben, Sam and Drew Tessau; Brandon, Myles and Brody Tessau; Nathan, Nicholas and Noah Tessau.
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