Bruce Tessner

Bruce Alfred Tessner, 85, of DeForest, passed away the morning of June 3, 2022.  He was born August 7, 1936 in Fond du Lac, WI.  Bruce was the eldest son of Alfred and Ruth (Lemke) Tessner.  After graduating from Fond du Lac High School, he joined the United States Marine Corps in 1956.

Bruce served three years in the Marines, primarily stationed at Camp Pendleton near San Diego.  After his honorable discharge, Bruce returned to his beloved hometown of Fond du Lac.  Later on, he graduated from UW-Oshkosh with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.  He taught English and History, and coached forensics, at several Wisconsin schools.

Bruce was a lifelong political junkie.  He classified himself as a Democratic Socialist.  Bruce was very disappointed he did not live long enough to vote for Ron Johnson’s opponent in the upcoming midterm elections.

In his younger years, Bruce loved to play softball and golf.  He enjoyed following the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers all of his life; although, he never did get over the heartache of the Milwaukee Braves moving to Atlanta.  He loved history, especially Civil War and WWII history.  He very much enjoyed writing mild-to-moderately offensive t-shirt slogans, and letters to the editor of the Wisconsin State Journal.  Bruce was a good cook, although entirely incapable of cooking for anything less than an army.  He loved jazz and The Beach Boys, and thoroughly believed that all modern day music —especially rap — was complete and total garbage.

Bruce was of the generation not always adept at expressing love and emotion.  He would be the first to admit he was not a perfect husband nor perfect father.  But he loved his wife and kids with all his heart, and they loved him in return.

Bruce is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Marge; his son Ben (Angela) Tessner; daughter Sophie (Brenda) Tessner; and his grandson Oliver Tessner.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Al and Ruth Tessner; and brothers John and Gary Tessner.

Bruce requested no services after his death.  If so inclined, his family recommends donations in his name to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin or the Dane County Humane Society.

In closing, Bruce — always a lover of classic movies — would like to assure the world he is “not only merely dead, he is most sincerely dead.”

Please share your memories on his Tribute Wall

Winn-Cress Funeral Home

5785 Hwy Q, Waunakee, WI

(608) 849-4513