Kathleen Margaret Tessmer

October 13, 1935 – July 27, 2026

Kathleen Margaret Tessmer—a lifelong learner, passionate educator, curious scholar, avid traveler, and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister—passed away peacefully on July 27, 2026, at the age of 90.

Early Life & Lessons from the Land

Kathleen was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on October 13, 1935, to Theresa and Edward Myszewski. Her earliest childhood memories were filled with the joy and warmth of big family gatherings surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In 1945, her family of five made a bold leap, moving to a country farm with no running water and limited electricity. When Kathleen’s grandmother skeptically noted their lack of farming experience, her mother famously replied, “We’ll learn, Ma. We’ll learn.” And learn they did. They aptly named the property Grindstone Farm, a name that became a lasting testament to the work ethic Kathleen would pass on to future generations.

Kathleen attended a one-room country schoolhouse—an experience she credited with laying the bedrock for her lifelong commitment to education and setting her on a path toward achieving three college degrees. Throughout her life, she spoke with deep reverence and gratitude for her early teachers, particularly Ms. Mildred Monohan and her music teacher, Ms. Roxa Pritchet, who served as inspiring role models of intellect, curiosity, and principles.

"Friends of Her Childhood"

From a very young age, Kathleen possessed an insatiable love of the written word. On regular family trips to the public library, she would quickly devour her own pile of books and then secretly sneak into her father’s reading collection—titles considered far too advanced for a young girl. That passion for reading stayed with her forever. She cherished the books she had owned as a child, fondly keeping them close throughout her lifetime and referring to them as the “friends of her childhood."

"This Guy is Terrif"

While pursuing her Bachelor of Education degree in Science at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, Kathleen enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. She proudly shared that her scores on the firing range were better than some of the men in her unit.

While in college, she met the love of her life, Dale Franklin Tessmer. They met on October 12, 1954, on the eve of her 19th birthday. That night, she returned to her room and wrote a simple entry in her diary: “Met Dale Tessmer. This guy is terrif.” She kept that journal for the rest of her life, often remarking that Dale was, without a doubt, the greatest birthday gift she ever received.

Kathleen and Dale were married on August 16, 1958. Together, they built a vibrant life, raising their family, dedicating themselves to the field of education, and in retirement, exploring the world. Over the decades, they traveled extensively across North, Central, and South America, Europe, and Asia.

A Trailblazer

Kathleen was a pioneer for women of her generation. At a time when traditional societal expectations often kept wives and mothers out of the professional workforce, Kathleen forged her own path. After college graduation, she and Dale moved to Port Washington, Wisconsin, where she worked as a high school math and science teacher, as well as an elementary science enrichment instructor.

Her career continued to expand as the family moved to La Crosse in 1966, where she served as an Elementary Library School Media Specialist at Hogan School—establishing and developing a media center that served a wide variety of students, including launching innovative summer reading and creative arts programs.

Driven by her endless curiosity and dedication to her field, Kathleen earned a Master of Science in Educational Media from UW–La Crosse in 1976, followed by a Ph.D. in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1984.

Her career in higher education took her to the University of Iowa, where she served as a professor in the School of Library & Information Science. There, she taught courses in children's and young adult literature, directed the Books for Young Adults Program, published scholarly works, presented nationwide, and served as Director of the Annual Newsome Lecture and Festival of Books for Young People.

After her time at the University of Iowa, Kathleen and Dale settled in Madison, Wisconsin, where her career came full circle. She returned to her roots in elementary education, serving as an elementary school librarian at Sauk Trail Elementary—a role that brought her immense joy and brought her back to the direct love of sharing books with young readers.

Family & Legacy

Kathleen’s greatest pride and joy was her family, who will forever carry forward her love of learning, travel, and connection. She is survived by her children, Paul Tessmer (Sue), Julie Robinson (Sam), and Nancy Belmont; her grandchildren, Alex (Olivia), Kaitlyn (Thys), Theodore, Hazel, and Tessmer; her great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Annabelle, Benjamin, Hunter, Elizabeth, and Penelope; and her brothers, Michael Myszewski (Martha) and John Myszewski (Elaine).

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dale Franklin Tessmer; her parents, Theresa and Edward Myszewski; and her brother, Matthew Myszewski (Susan).

Celebrating a Life Well-Lived

In a note left for her family "in the event of her death," Kathleen left behind simple instructions for how she wished to be remembered:

"Put an emphasis on ‘Life was a great trip and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Don't mourn death; celebrate the memory of times we had together.’"

In accordance with her wishes, the family will hold a celebration of Kathleen’s life on Sunday, August 23 at Cress Funeral Service, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, WI. Friends and family are welcome to arrive at 1:00 p.m. The remembrance ceremony begins at 2:00 p.m., with a reception to follow.

In lieu of sadness, her family asks that you honor Kathleen by picking up a good book, enjoying a glass of wine, or going on an adventure to celebrate the wonderful journey of life.

Come good home.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

3610 Speedway Rd    Madison

608-238-3434