Junior Tesmer

STOUGHTON - Junior E. Tesmer, age 88, of Stoughton, passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at Stoughton Hospital. He was born on October 3, 1920 in Colby, the son of John and Ida (Frome) Tesmer. Junior graduated from Colby High School. He was united in marriage to Doris Rienow on June 20, 1942 in Colby. He served in the United States Navy during WW II. Junior owned and operated Tesmer Plumbing and Heating in Colby for 30 years until he and Doris retired to Stoughton in 1984. Junior was a previous member of the Lions Club, and American Legion Post # 0266 in Colby. He was also an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Colby and Good Shepherd by the Lake Lutheran Church in Stoughton where he was a choir member and served as an officer in both churches. Junior was an avid reader, bowler, golfer and in his retirement he enjoyed woodworking, and volunteering with the House of Thrift and at church. He was a devoted fan of the Brewers, Packers, and Badgers. Doris and Junior were so proud that they had traveled to all 50 states. He is survived by his wife, Doris of Stoughton; children, Janice (Mike) Commarato of Rockville, MD., Joni (Mike) Bullock of Madison, Jim (Laura) Tesmer of Kohler, and Lori (John) Schlimgen of Stoughton; 9 grandchildren, Emily, Kim (Geoff), Amy (Dave), Jonathan, Kristin, Nick, Heidi (Mike), Amanda, Katelyn; 7 great-grandchildren, Kayla, Julia, Brianne, Chloe, Sydney, Maegan, and Alex. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Laverne (Harold) Behning and Dora (Bob) Hafer; and a brother, Woodrow (Nina) Tesmer. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at GOOD SHEPHERD BY THE LAKE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1860 US Hwy 51, Stoughton with the Reverend Todd McVey officiating. A luncheon will follow. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, April 27, 2009, at GUNDERSON STOUGHTON FUNERAL HOME, Hwy 51 at Jackson Street, Stoughton and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial and grave side service will take place on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at 1 p.m. at Colby Memorial Cemetery, Colby. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Good Shepherd by the Lake Lutheran Church or to a charity of your choice. A special thank you to the staff at Stoughton Hospital, Dr. Agni, HospiceCare, Stoughton EMS, and Harmony Living Center for their excellent care of Junior.