Melvin Tessman

Melvin Earl Tessman, 73, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Saturday, April 8, 2017, at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, from acute myeloid leukemia.

He was born August 29, 1943, in Red Oak, Iowa, to Earl and Alma (Wendt) Tessman. At the age of three, the family moved to Atlantic where Mel resided the rest of his life within a two mile area seven miles north of town. Melvin graduated from the Atlantic High School with the class of 1961. He farmed until his retirement in 2016.

He was preceded in death by his father, Earl in 1989; his son, Todd in 1992; wife, Sharon (Baier) in 1993; his mother, Alma in 2009; and many friends and relatives.

Mel is survived by his daughter, Janna Tessman (Tawfik) Azim of Elk Grove, CA; his wife, Cheryl (Starkweather); her children, G. Scott (Dr. Tina) Starkweather of Polk City, IA, Dr. Andrea (Dr. Dale) Matheson of Johnston, IA; and grandchildren, Abigail and Eric Matheson.

Family will not be present, but an open viewing will be available on Wednesday, April 12, 2017, from 9:00 – 5:00 p.m. so the public may stop by.

A celebration of life service will be held on Thursday, April 13, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa. Family will visit with friends at a reception held in Hockenberry’s community room following the service.

There will be a private family burial in the Atlantic Cemetery, Atlantic, Iowa, preceding the service.

Blood donations extended Mel’s life. Please donate blood or make a monetary donation to your local blood bank in his memory to help save the lives of others.