Diana J. Tessman

Diana Joan Tessman (nee Welhouse) passed away at Waukesha Memorial Hospital on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the age of 84. She was born in Kaukauna, Wisconsin on October 24, 1941. Her parents were Frances Jansen and George Welhouse. She was a homemaker and provided support to her husband, helping him out on the farm. She enjoyed gardening and in her later years when she couldn’t do as much gardening, she still started many seedlings for family and friends in her little greenhouse in the backyard. This helped many to have wonderful plants for their gardens. She also took pleasure in providing her children with beef from the farm, which was always happily accepted. Diana loved getting together for the holidays and meeting friends and family for lunch along with a good sheepshead game. She always had a deck of playing cards and a roll of quarters. She felt that it was important to support the Livestock Auction at the Waukesha County Fair to encourage younger generations to be interested in farming. She was also a longtime member of Mount Calvary Church.

Diana will be missed by her loving children Lydia (Steve Daniels) Tessman, Mark (Gail) Tessman, Laura (Chas) Hellman, Carl (Melissa) Tessman, Glen (Sharon Zidlicky) Tessman, and Alan (Audrea) Tessman; grandchildren, Leeann Stoiber, Amanda, Alex (Caitlin), Marsha, Katie (Brian) Zielke, Paul Hellman, Gabriella, Maya, Taylor and Kassidy; great-grandchildren, Dayton, Dominik, Cassidy, Ezra and Nolan; siblings, Pauline Bohlmann, George (Amy) Welhouse, Christina (Tom) Zieher and Cynthia (Joe) Mindiola; sister-in-law Marion (Gary) Karl; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Harvey in 2019. They were lifelong partners for 60 years. She was also preceded in death by her sister Jeraldine Burnell.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 10th from 11:00 am until the 12-noon memorial service at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 1941 Madison Street, Waukesha, Wisconsin 53188. A lunch will be served in the fellowship hall at the church immediately following the service.

Memorials in Diana’s name are appreciated to Mount Calvary Lutheran Church.