John L. Tess, age 88, of Mishicot, passed peacefully into eternal rest on January 31, 2016 at Manitowoc Health & Rehabilitation Center. He was born in West Kewaunee on November 27, 1927 to the late John C. and Ella (Nimmer) Tess. He married Marie Ann Brusky October 23, 1948 at St. Hedwig Catholic Church in East Krok with Fr. Thaddeus Koszarek presiding. Together they shared 67 years, 5 children, 10 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. John attended the Krok School in West Kewaunee. After grade school graduation he worked at Krok Cheese Factory, on two farms, and at Kewaunee Co-Op. John enlisted and served in the U.S. Army from March 1946-September 1947 stationed on Okinawa for 13 months as a motor pool truck driver. After service, he worked for Hoffman Bros. Construction, Red Ray Bowling Alley, Wood and Steel, Lake to Lake and Nimmer Bros. Construction helping build Holy Cross School (1951-52). He began his own business, John Tess Builders (1958-1988), and crafted cedar yard and deck furniture (1988-1998) before retiring his left-handed hammer.John served as Commander of the VFW Kempen-Staudinger-Terens Post 7753 and helped to build the clubhouse. As a member of the Holy Cross Parish, he served as the men's retreat coordinator to Monte Alverno Appleton and ushered at church for 50+ years. He last ushered on November 29, 2015. John built the Parish sign, served on the Maintenance Committee and fondly recalled the time he spread sealer on the north parking lot assisted by son, Terry, and Fr. Brouchoud using big squeegees. John served two terms on the Mishicot Village Board of Trustees. Referring to himself as "Sheephead Therapist", John played sheephead regularly and enjoyed challenging Marie in pinochle, sixty-six, cribbage, 500 rummy and 10,000 dice. He belonged to Mishicot, Two Rivers and his family year-round horseshoe leagues - playing the winter months in his three-sided fireplace pits. He enjoyed calling Bingo at Northridge Medical and Rehabilitation Center and loved to polka.Survivors include his wife Marie; daughters Linda Pekarek, Diane (John) Salzman, Cheryl Kornely (Fiance Chris Meier); son: Terry (Sara) Tess and son-in-law Gordy Augustine (Fiancée Judy Johnson); grandchildren, Jodi (Brett) Bessler, Jennifer (Eric) Kunesh, Tina (Jason) Prigge, John (Sandy) Salzman, Dr. Tyler (Dr. Katie) Salzman, Cory (Kelly) Augustine, Chad Augustine, Amanda Tess, AJ Kornely, Alex Kornely; eleven great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; brother Roland (Marian) Tess; sister Joyce Shimanek; brother and sisters-in-law William (Karen) Brusky, Alice Glish; godsons Dennis Shimanek, Jerry Selner; and special kitty Rozy. John was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws W. Edwin and Mary Brusky; daughter Rachel Augustine; son-in-law Donald Pekarek; granddaughter Tammy Pekarek; sisters Pearl (Myron) Brusky, Lillian (John) Seidl, Erna (Harvey) Schneider; brothers Edwin (June) Tess, Gilbert (LaVerne) Tess, Gerhart (Grace) Tess, Orville Tess; in-laws Joe Glish, Wilfred (Shirley) Brusky; godsons Paul Glish, Andy Hardtke, Curtis Brusky, Billy Brusky. There is a void where once we enjoyed his laughter and wit. He was deeply loved and we miss him. Thanks, blessings and gratitude to those who visited, sent cards, gave scratch-offs, HFM Hospice, Manitowoc Health & Rehabilitation Center, Fr. Becker, and all the loving support. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 4, 2016 at the Lambert Eckert Funeral Home with Reverend John Becker officiating. Burial of his cremated remains in the Holy Cross Parish Cemetery.

Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter Feb 2 2016