Dale A. Tesch

Dale A. Tesch, age 81, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Avantara in Lake Norden, SD.  Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 12, 2023, at St. Martins Lutheran Church in Watertown.  Rev. Paul Kuckhahn will officiate. Music will be provided by Julie Sulzle as organist.  The family is requested to meet at the church on Monday by 10:00 a.m. for a prayer service.  The funeral service will be livestreamed via our website and the church website.

Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. and prior, to services at the church on Monday.

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown. Honorary pallbearers will be Burton Tesch and Sandy Albrecht.  Active pallbearers will be David Tesch, Keith Tesch, Tyler Tesch, Kevin Tesch, Kelly Tesch and Mark Tesch.

Dale was born on February 3, 1942, in Watertown, SD, to Albert and Stella (Cook) Tesch.  He purchased his farm in 1960 and began farming. He then graduated from Watertown High School in 1961.

On May 9, 1965, Dale married Eunice Waege and continued farming.  Eunice passed away on August 21, 2003.  On November 27, 2004, Dale married Mary Flemming and continued to farm on the family farm until he retired in 2017 and moved to Watertown.

Dale was a member of St. Martins Lutheran Church, member of  Codington County Soil Conservation, State Soil Conservation, Land O Lakes Milk Producers, Farm Bureau, and 4-H Booster.  He enjoyed farming, gardening, attending great-grandchildren’s ball games and any time spent with family.

Dale is survived by his wife, Mary,  Watertown; one daughter, Sheila (Lee) Johnson, Watertown; two sons, Keith (Tiffiny) Tesch, Pahramp, NV; David Tesch, Brookings, SD; one step daughter, Michele (Darren) Stukes, Flat Rock, NC; one sister, Sandy (Hank) Albrecht, De Smet, SD; one brother, Burton (Ranae) Tesch, Hayti, SD; one sister-in-law, Barb Tesch, Norfolk, NE; one brother-in-law, William Pieper, Watertown, SD; 20 grandchildren; Taylor, Chantal, BreeAnna, Mackenzie, Brian, Kelsey, Jordan, Megan, Amanda, Amber, Ashley, Mike , Julie, Andy, Nikki, Alexandra, Rayna, Kadra, Dalton and Devon; and 22 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Eunice, four brothers: Hal, Ferdy, David, Gordon; one sister Louise Pieper and one granddaughter Megan P.

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

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