Darold Arch Tessman

Obituary of Darold A. Tessman

Darold Arch Tessman, the son of A.A. (Arch) and Evelyn (Wendt) Tessman, was born November 30, 1934, at his parents’ rural home in Leroy Township, Audubon, Iowa and died from complications of Parkinson’s on July 11, 2019, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 84 years, 7 months, and 11 days.
Darold was baptized and confirmed at the Ross Evangelical United Brethren Church in Ross, Iowa. He attended the Viola Consolidated Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1953. Darold studied at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa before returning home to help operate the family farm.
On February 12, 1961, he was united in marriage to Elaine Christensen at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. They moved to their present home in 1961 where they were blessed with and raised their four children Susan, Dale, Joni, and Julie. Darold farmed with his father and brother Duane, for many years and then later with his son Dale and nephew Dave. They grew row crops and fed Angus Cattle. Darold’s passion was feeding cattle. He felt there was something calming about watching them eat. His mother teased him that he was never going to get married because he was more interested in feeding cattle than he was in girls. Darold always believed that the cattle from western Nebraska, South Dakota, and Montana were hardier then many of the local stock. Darold and his family enjoyed many trips to Ogallala and Arthur Nebraska, and Fort Pierr, South Dakota. He loved every aspect of farming, plowing, planting, cultivating, making hay on the hottest day of the year, and harvesting. Darold fed cattle until 2010. He enjoyed his home on the farm then briefly made his home at the Friendship Home in Audubon since November 29, 2018.
Darold was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Audubon and had served on several committees. He was a member of the Friendship Home Board for several years. Darold enjoyed traveling with Elaine and they traveled to many areas such as Branson, Missouri many times, Colorado, many Audubon State Bank tours, and visiting his Uncle Ervin Wendt in San Diego, California. But above all he loved to spend time with all of his family.
Preceding him in death were his twin infant daughters; his parents; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law Alfred M. and Hilda Christensen.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years Elaine Tessman of Audubon, Iowa; his children Susan and husband Don Grossman of Willey, Iowa, Dale and wife Michelle Tessman of Audubon, Iowa, Joni Tessman and Laura Gerber of Urbandale, Iowa, and Julie and husband Cody Larsen of Guthrie Center, Iowa; his grandchildren Jessica Grossman of Templeton, Iowa, Ben Grossman and fiancé Michaela Davis of Dedham, Iowa, Kylee Tessman, Kate Tessman and Daniel Tessman all of Audubon, Iowa and Chelsea Larsen, Connor Larsen and Caden Larsen all of Guthrie Center, Iowa; his brother Duane and wife Cleone Tessman of Audubon, Iowa; his sister Wava Bails of Harlan, Iowa; his brother-in-law Marvin and wife Annabelle Christensen of Audubon, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
The family will meet with friends on Sunday afternoon, July 14, 2019, from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Lori Shannon on Monday morning July 15, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Audubon, Iowa. Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. The honorary casket bearers will be Jessica Grossman, Kylee Tessman, Kate Tessman, Daniel Tessman, Chelsea Larsen, Connor Larsen, and Caden Larsen. The casket bearers will be Don Grossman, Cody Larsen, Ben Grossman, Dave Tessman, Cory Handlos, Wayne Moreland, and Jerry Koenig.