Mary Tessmer
Mary M. Tessmer, 88, of Athens, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, under the compassionate care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at the Hospice House in Wausau.
Mary was born on January 3, 1936, in Gresham, to the late Frank and Margaret (Scherer) Stoehr. She had a traditional German farm upbringing; she worked hard, learned how to fix things that were broken, and tackled jobs typically reserved for boys.
After graduating high school, Mary attended Marquette University in Milwaukee. There, she earned degrees in chemistry and mathematics, which led to her first teaching position at Athens High School in 1959. It was during her time in Athens that she met her future husband, James T. Tessmer, at the local bowling alley.
Mary and Jim maintained their courtship through letters while Jim served in the U.S. Air Force. They married on March 24,1962, at St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church in Gresham. Mary accompanied Jim across various Air Force postings, including to the Pacific Island of Guam, where she taught high school and weathered a devastating typhoon.
Following Jim’s discharge, the couple returned to Athens, where Mary resumed teaching. In 1969, they purchased the Athens IGA, which they successfully operated together until their retirement in 2000.
Mary was a cornerstone of the Athens community and a devoted member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. She served in countless roles at the church and school including PCCW president, catechism teacher, lector, Eucharistic minister, circle chair, substitute teacher, reading buddy, and kitchen leader during the Fair. Mary also served as a Cub Scout Den Mother, worked at the Jaycee’s 4th of July celebration, volunteered with the Circle of Joy, and aided in the planning of the Centennial Athens Fair. Her creative talents were used to sew costumes for high school musicals, knit hats for newborns, and make doll clothes for church bazaars. Known for her humility and tireless work ethic, Mary preferred to do her work
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