Leona M. Tessling

Leona “Ony” M. Tessling, age 82, passed away peacefully at her home in Hugo, MN on February 20, 2013.

Born July 10, 1930, to Leonard and Edna (Marier) Roth in St. Paul, MN, Leona was the youngest of three children. She attended St. Bernard’s Catholic elementary school, and St. Joseph’s Academy. Leona married Clarence “Tess” Tessling on February 1, 1947. They raised four children in St. Paul, and in 1973 moved to a home in Lindstrom, MN on the shores of South Center Lake. Clarence died unexpectedly on May 9, 1994. Leona remained in their lake home until August 2010, when she moved to Gracewood Senior Living in Hugo, MN.

Leona is survived by her three sons; L. Douglas of St. Paul, MN, Clifford (Ruth) of Superior, WI, and Joseph of Woodbury, MN; and her daughter “in heart” Michaela Tessling of Pittsburgh, PA: 11 grandchildren; Tanya (Jason) Gerald, Tracie Blood, Michael Morrison, Jennifer (Roger) Bloom, Mary (Courtney) Ford, Mathew (Eva) Morrison, Melissa Morrison, Peter Tessling, Alysia (Kevin) Kozak, Jason Tessling, and Leeanna (Justin) Weideman: and 19 great grandchildren; Alex and Max Gerald, Sabrina, Erika and Annalise Morrison, Sienna, Gabriella and Olivia Bloom, Brendyn, Breydan & Chloe Ford, Evan Morrison, Peyton, Zachary and Jeffrey Morrison, Ahnyx Tessling, and Rhilee, Jonah and Charlotte Weideman.

She was preceded in death by her husband Clarence, her brother Everett (Patricia) Roth, her sister Lorraine (William) Duncan of Spokane, WA, her parents, Leonard and Edna (Marier) Roth, and her only daughter, Teresa Morrison of Roscoe, IL. Leona loved and was loved by young and old. With their mutual passion for music, Clarence and Leona harmonized beautifully together in song and on the dance floor. Leona especially enjoyed elegant, glamorous nights out and casual comfortable daily living.

She found a great deal of peace and comfort through the natural pleasures of life on the lake. She loved to cook, sew, and garden and was a great resource for many of the young women she touched throughout her lifetime. In their early married life, Leona took in a number of teenage foster girls to mentor and love. Her compassion, experience, and ability to listen and help solve problems was a comfort to many. She was a mother and a friend, and will be missed beyond words.

Visitation will be held at Roberts Family Funeral Home in Forest Lake, MN Friday, March 1, 2013 from 4-7 p.m., and one hour prior to services on Saturday. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 2, at Roberts Family Funeral Home. Private family interment at St. John the Baptist Cemetery at a later date. To sign an online guest book and view a video tribute please visit www.williamsonwhite.com Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Amery, Wisconsin is assisting the family with the arrangements.