Mary M. (Stoehr) Tessmer

Mary M. Tessmer, 88, of Athens, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 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 quietly behind the scenes.

One of Mary’s proudest traditions was working with her family for more than three decades to create floats for the Athens Fair parade. In 2002, she and Jim were honored as Athens Fair Parade Marshalls. In 2014, she was presented with the Athenian Award for her outstanding commitment and contributions to the village of Athens.

Above all, Mary was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother. She instilled in her four children the values of integrity, honesty, and hard work. Her resourcefulness and commitment to avoiding waste were hallmarks of her character, leaving a lasting legacy of creativity and problem-solving.

Mary is survived by her children: James (Christine) Tessmer of Wausau and their children, Nathan, Tyler, Noah and Mitchell; Joseph (Renee) Tessmer of Athens and their children, Gunnar and Lane (Bailey); Michael (Vicki) Tessmer of Oshkosh and their children, Emma and Ethan; and Sarah (Aaron) Werth of Wausau and their children, Caden and Natalie. She is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Cameron and Owen Tessmer; her brother, Dan Stoehr of Shawano; and her sister, Pat Vruck of Punta Gorda, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband James on August 24, 2004, and her sister, Joan Ladwig.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, January 3, 2025, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Athens, with Rev. George Graham presiding. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Athens. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home in Athens, with a parish vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church or School. The family also encourages blood donations in honor of Mary, who benefited greatly from transfusions during her cancer treatment.

Online condolences may be shared at www.petersonkraemer.com.