Dale Tessmer

Dale L. Tessmer, born on April 3, 1943 to Leslie & Doris Tessmer slipped away from us in his sleep on Sep. 20, 2020 from natural causes. He graduated from Wausau Senior High in 1962. He married Veronica (Vicky Rhyner) Obermeier on June 20,1964 and divorced in 1977.  He then moved to Janesville to work at the Chevrolet plant. Dale moved back to Wausau in 1967 and joined the Wausau Police Dept. where he worked up the ranks from patrol, sergeant, lieutenant and then Lieutenant Detective for 30 years retiring in 1997. He then started a second career driving school bus for Laidlaw/First Student in Wausau. He started in Aug of 1997 and was planning on continuing this year. He really enjoyed driving bus. The last few years he had a route that took him to the area he grew up in; the Town Of Maine. That was the ultimate route for him. He and his wife Mari also tried their hand at real estate. Starting in 1998 they worked together at Century 21 TriCity, Keller-Williams and lastly Coldwell Banker Action retiring from that career in 2015.

He married Mari Stelmark (Leitza) on Aug. 18,1978. Together they blended two families and added two more children .

He loved spending time with his family and there was always some occasion to celebrate. He enjoyed going to Canada fishing with one of his best friends, John Tappe. He also made a few trips to Canada with his kids and grandkids. Even convincing Mari to go on two occasions.

Every year Dale, Mari and friends from work would go to Vegas to try their luck. We would meet up with Mari's brother Don & wife Mary. Sadly with covid restrictions we did not make our 20th year in Vegas.

He is survived by his wife Mari of 42 years. Children Steve (Diane) ,Don (Beverly)Andrew (Tonya) Shawn (Lorana) Jen (Jason) Leber. Stepchildren Paul (Jackie) Leitza and Scott (Theresa) Leitza, and daughter in law Pam Tessmer..  He also is survived by his siblings Dennis (Jean) Stanley(Connie) Karen (Mark) Wilkes and Debra (Jack ( Urmanski). 23 grandchildren Ashley, Jacob, Dakota, Gerald, Austin, Nathan ,Tiffany, Hailey, Brian, A.J. Sarah, Natalie, Zack, Mikayla ,Kaleb, Victoria, Felicity, Mina, Roderick Egan ,Magnus ,Alec and Nolan. 9 Great Grandchildren Ayden, Alex, Kandon, Emma, Jordan, Oliver, Finn, Quinn and Lydia. So Christmas was an all out occasion. Also numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by his parents Les & Doris, in-laws Vincent & Dorothea Stelmark, sons Daniel and David, brother Ron, grandson Don Jr. granddaughter Taylor and brother -in-law Don Stelmark.

Dale loved life and said he was never going to grow up. He will be missed by family and friends. He was well liked & loved by everyone he met. We know you are fishing and playing cards with all your loved ones.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2020, at Brainard Funeral Home - Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston.  A visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service.  Because we care about family and friends, facemasks will be required and social distancing will be observed.