Donald F. Tessman

Donald (Dint) F. Tessman, 91 of Portage, passed away Friday December 15, 2017 at home with his family.

He was born October 30, 1926 in Portage WI to Edmond and Helene Tessman. He was united in marriage to Dorothy Fahey in Portage.  Dint enlisted in the US Navy during WWII and joined his three older brothers who also were already serving. After delivering fuel oil for his father-in-law, he started his career at Badger Ordinance as a firefighter and retired from there, he was also a volunteer for the Portage Fire Department.

Dint was an avid sportsman in hunting Water fowl and Turkey along with fishing. This was a passion that he shared with many friends and family over the years. He always had a story to share over coffee at many local breakfast spots. Dint enjoyed painting and did a lot of side jobs to earn fun money for his hunting and fishing pursuits. He also was a pitcher for many years with the Fast Pitch leagues in Portage. When he stopped playing because of bad shoulders, he still went down to the fairgrounds for many, many years just to spectate. He also really enjoyed a hotdog and root beer from the A &W or popcorn from the popcorn stand. He was a true Portage local and very proud to be.

He was a caring and kind father, grandfather and great grandfather to all of his girls and always wanting to know what the good word was.

He is survived by daughter Mary Summers, granddaughters Andrea Summers and Tara (Jake) Borchert, great granddaughters Jaide Gavinski, Olivia Summers, Keira Borchert, and Kenadie Borchert, two nephews that were very special to him Jim Peters and Larry Tessman and his fishing partner Tom Simonson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edmond and Helene, wife Dorothy, sister Miriam and brothers Norman,  Willis, and John.

 The family would like to express their most sincere gratitude to Jaime Myers and Dawn Schroeder for all of their help with Grandpa, especially over the last number of years. Thank you to the VA Home based primary care, Care Wisconsin and Agrace Hospice care, who were beyond good to Dint through his journey. His care team went above and beyond to include activities he enjoyed such as arranging a couple of fishing trips. A special thank you to Erin his CNA for the help arranging and assisting Dint on the Fishing trip and all of the extra kindness and support she provided to Dint and the family. Cindy, his primary nurse with Agrace also was a huge help throughout his home based care and we could not have provided the excellent care he received without her. Graveside services with full military honors will be held June 2, 2018 at 1 PM at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Portage.

Gone Fishing

I've finished life's chores assigned to me,
So put me on a boat headed out to sea.
Please send along my fishing pole
For I've been invited to the fishin' hole.

Where every day is a day to fish,
To fill your heart with every wish.
Don't worry, or feel sad for me,

I'm fishin' with the Master of the sea.

We will miss each other for awhile,
But you will come and bring your smile.
That won't be long you will see,
Till we're together you and me.

To all of those that think of me,
Be happy as I go out to sea.
If others wonder why I'm missin'
Just tell 'em I've gone fishin'

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