LaVern Tesar

Notes:

On Dec. 24, 2021, LaVern Tesar, son of John and Elsie (Slepicka) Tesar, passed away at home in Kennewick, Washington, from heart failure. He recently celebrated his 94th birthday Dec. 18 with his extended family.

Vern was born on a farm near Exeter, then the family moved near Tobias, where he started grade school at the age of 4. The first few years of high school were in Milligan with graduation from Wilber High School. After three and one-half years serving in the Navy during World War II, he was married to Marjory Beck (daughter of Ed and Alice Beck) of Wilber on July 12, 1950. Vern received an Associates degree in electronics from Valparaiso Technical School and was hired by IBM, where he worked for 31 years. He became plant manager at the Boulder, Colorado, IBM facility.

While in retirement, he held jobs as a deputy sheriff, real estate salesman, search and rescue volunteer, Meals on Wheels driver and senior center cook. He was an avid elk hunter and craftsman, building a home in the Colorado mountains. After he moved to Washington state, he could often be found in the orchards picking the apples and cherries missed by the professional crews. He enjoyed salmon fishing, and clamming and crabbing ar the beaches. He was always ready to help friends during branding time, pushing cows through the squeeze chute. Vern enjoyed family time listening to Big Joe and Molly B polka music. Marjory and Vern enjoyed traveling to many locations around the world.

Vern is survived by his wife Marjory, and their three children, Randy, Gaye and Jon. He enjoyed the expansion of the family in recent years with seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Elaine, Darlene, Johnnie, Delyte, Rene and Vicki. His parents and brother, Larry, preceded him in death.

Vern will always be remembered as a very social person who enjoyed bringing people together. His family and his role in the family were very important to him. He will be missed by his family and friends.

Vern's ashes will be interred at the Wilber Czech Cemetery. Due to Covid concerns. a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

LaVern married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]