Leona "Ony" M. Tessling
January 10, 1930 ~ February 20, 2013
Leona Ony M. Tessling, age 82, passed away peacefully at her home in Hugo, MN on February 20, 2013. Born July 10, 1930, to Leonard and Edna (Marier) Roth in St. Paul, MN, Leona was the youngest of three children. She attended St. Bernards Catholic elementary school, and St. Josephs Academy. Leona married Clarence Tess Tessling on February 1, 1947. They raised four children in St. Paul, and in 1973 moved to a home in Lindstrom, MN on the shores of South Center Lake. Clarence died unexpectedly on May 9, 1994. Leona remained in their lake home until August 2010, when she moved to Gracewood Senior Living in Hugo, MN. Leona is survived by her three sons; L. Douglas of St. Paul, MN, Clifford (Ruth) of Superior, WI, and Joseph of Woodbury, MN; and her daughter in heart Michaela Tessling of Pittsburgh, PA: eleven grandchildren; Tanya (Jason) Gerald, Tracie Blood, Michael Morrison, Jennifer (Roger) Bloom, Mary (Courtney) Ford, Mathew (Eva) Morrison, Melissa Morrison, Peter Tessling, Alysia (Kevin) Kozak, Jason Tessling, and Leeanna (Justin) Weideman: and nineteen great grandchildren; Alex Max Gerald, Sabrina, Erika Annalise Morrison, Sienna, Gabriella Olivia Bloom, Brendyn, Breydan Chloe Ford, Evan Morrison, Peyton, Zachary Jeffrey Morrison, Ahnyx Tessling, and Rhilee, Jonah Charlotte Weideman. She was preceded in death by her husband Clarence, her brother Everett (Patricia) Roth, her sister Lorraine (William) Duncan of Spokane, WA, her parents, Leonard and Edna (Marier) Roth, and her only daughter, Teresa Morrison of Roscoe, IL. Leona loved and was loved by young and old. With their mutual passion for music, Clarence and Leona harmonized beautifully together in song and on the dance floor. Leona especially enjoyed elegant, glamorous nights out and casual comfortable daily living. She found a great deal of peace and comfort through the natural pleasures of life on the lake. She loved to cook, sew, and garden and was a great resource for many of the young women she touched throughout her lifetime. In their early married life, Leona took in a number of teenage foster girls to mentor and love. Her compassion, experience, and ability to listen and help solve problems was a comfort to many. She was a mother and a friend, and will be missed beyond words. A visitation will be held at Roberts Family Funeral Home in Forest Lake, MN on Friday, March 1, 2013 from 4:00-7:00 pm, and 1 hour prior to services on Saturday. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2013 at Roberts Family Funeral Home. Private family interment at St. John the Baptist Cemetery at a later date.
Dear Family and Friends of Leona Tessling, even though I did not personally know Mrs. Tessling, the loss of every human life is significant to me and should be valued by all. The Bible book of Hebrews reminds us that God does not forget all of the love and fine works shown by his servants (Heb 6:10). It is obvious according to the information listed about Mrs. Tessling that she was loved and her life touched many people. We are also promised that there will be a time in which pain that we now experience with this loss “will not be called to mind” (Isaiah 65:17) The promise of Paradise, the perfect conditions God intended for mankind, will be fulfilled (Ps. 37:11). Meanwhile we have the opportunity to follow Jesus’ instruction to continue to take in Bible knowledge that leads to everlasting life (John 17:3). Hopefully faith in these Bible promises will ease the pain from this loss as you look forward to seeing Mrs.Tessling again. Please be comforted by these thoughts.