Tessman, Henry Sr. (1883-1979)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1979 July 27 p. 30

Birth date: 1883 Jan 29

text of obituary:

HENRY TESSMAN SR.

Henry Tessman of Chilliwack, B.C. passed away on June 15. He was born to Heinrich and Nela Tessman on January 29, 1883, in Molotschna, southern Russia. He spent his childhood and youth in the village of Alexanderpohl, and did voluntary forestry service in 1905. It was after this that he accepted Christ as his personal Saviour, and in 1907 he was baptized into the Mennonite Brethren church. On October 31,1910 he was married to Pauline Pidde, a union that was blessed with three children. In the spring of 1930 his family was able to leave the Soviet Union, settling on a farm near Manitou, Manitoba. Seven years later he moved to a berry farm in Yarrow, B.C. Upon retirement in 1953 he moved to Chilliwack, where he fellowshipped at the Broadway MB Church. Together with his wife he spent the last few months of his life at the Menno Home in Abbotsford, B.C. They would have celebrated their 69th wed ding anniversary this fall.

He is remembered by friends and relatives for his cheerfulness and his strong faith in Christ. He was predeceased by his son, Henry Tessman Jr. He leaves behind his wife Pauline; two daughters, Nellie (Mrs. Isaac) Wiebe and Agatha (Mrs. J.C.) Fast; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Helen Tessman; ten grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.