Barbara I. Tesch

Barbara I. Tesch, age 76, of Norfolk, NE, passed away on Monday, January 15, 2024 in Norfolk.  Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at St. Martins Lutheran Church in Watertown. Pastor Paul Hirsch will officiate. The family is requested to meet at the church on Sunday by 2:00 p.m. for a prayer service. 

Visitation will be at the St. Martins Lutheran Church in Watertown on Sunday from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. A light luncheon will be served during the visitation.

Burial will be at Helgen Lutheran Cemetery in rural Florence, SD. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren. Active pallbearers will be her sons and sons-in-law.

Barb was born on September 15, 1947, in Watertown, SD, to Johnnie and Doris (Lauseng) Winge. She was a graduate of South Shore High School and confirmed at St. Martin's Lutheran Church.      

On October 9, 1966, Barb was united in marriage to Hal Tesch in Watertown. The couple farmed, raised dairy and founded “Team Tesch” with seven children south of Watertown. In 1997 the couple moved to Waco, NE, where their two youngest attended high school. Barb worked at Nebraska Lutheran as a cook, custodian, yearbook coordinator, and dorm mother.

She was a friend to all, and a stand-in parent at every game, concert, and track meet. Barb was a creative and imaginative person who loved gardening, painting, bowling, sewing, and traveling but her greatest joy was her family. She was very proud of her seven children and seventeen grandchildren and could often be found driving miles to watch a game or help in any way needed. She let her love for Jesus shine in the way she treated everyone she met.                                                                  

Barb is survived by her seven children, Boyd (Rachel) Tesch of Kenosha, WI, Shannon (Miles) Spreeman of Norfolk, NE, Veronica (Jim) Strand of Bloomer, WI, Lloyd (Jennifer) Tesch of Anchorage, AK, Wiatt (Juliet) Tesch of Lesterville, SD, Ryan Tesch of Mankato, MN, Estelle (Michael) Vlieger of Mankato, MN; seventeen grandchildren, Rebekah Giller, Christina Giller, Garth (Paige) Spreeman, Hallie Spreeman, Hazel Spreeman, Jack Strand, Zeke Strand, Sophie Strand, Eric Strand, Kia (Luis) Berrios, Bristol Tesch, Laramie Tesch, Tenlie Tesch, Rebekah Vlieger, Elliott Vlieger, Westley Vlieger, Wendell Vlieger; five sisters, Alice (Clayton) Moyer, Joyce (Ed) Heim, Darlene (Vic) Sauer, Susan (Bill) Welder, Becky (Royal) Sprung; three brothers, Clayton (Dorothy) Winge, Larry (Brenda) Winge, Jerry (Eileen) Winge; two step-ssisters, Dala (Lonnie) Mandel, Kari (Ray) Bealer; one step-brother, Bren (Kelly) Buising; two sisters-in-law, Geri (Jim)  Winge, Sandy (Hank) Albrecht; two brothers-in-law, Bill (Louise) Pieper, Burton (Ronae) Tesch; and  many nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors.                                                                   

She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Hal; father, Johnnie Winge; mother, Doris Winge Buising; step-father, Dale Buising; brothers, LaVern Winge and Jim Winge.                                                                      

Barb believed in and loved Christian education. Memorials given will be used to help support Lutheran Schools.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown, Hayti De Smet, Bryant

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