Janice Ann (Dehning) Tessmer, 81, of Caledonia, Minn., passed away peacefully on Monday, April 28, 2025, at Gundersen Tweeten Care Center in Spring Grove, with her adoring husband of 55 years, Gene, by her side. She was born on February 7, 1944, at The Caledonia Hospital to George and Emma (Kumpf) Dehning. Janice was baptized and confirmed at St. Luke’s Church in Eitzen and raised on the Dehning family farm in Dorchester, Iowa. She attended a rural school in Dorchester until eighth grade and graduated from Waukon High School in 1962.
Janice married Eugene Tessmer at St. Luke’s Church in Eitzen on November 15, 1969. From that union, they were blessed with a son, David, and a daughter, Sara. They worked and raised their family on the Tessmer family farm in Caledonia. Janice cherished her home on the farm, her role as a farmer’s wife, and proudly supported Gene’s hard work and long hours as a farmer. And when her son joined the farming operation, she was just as proud and supportive.
Janice worked at Northern Engraving in Waukon, Iowa, before she began her lifelong career in the healthcare industry. Janice started her career in the business administration department at The Caledonia Hospital, then transitioned to Franciscan Skemp Hospital in La Crosse, Wis. When Mayo Health System purchased the hospital and its clinics, she transferred to the Mayo Clinic located in Caledonia to work closer to home. Upon her retirement, Janice had worked for the Mayo Health System for over 50 years.
Janice was a long-time active member of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Caledonia, where she volunteered her time on several church and school committees. She loved to cook and always ensured that everyone she was serving would have something they enjoyed eating. In 2001, Janice was diagnosed and treated for throat cancer. By her strength, courage, faith, and the grace of God, she survived her cancer, which gave Janice her greatest treasure. During the next 24 years, Janice would have the joy of being the beloved grandmother to her nine grandchildren.
Janice is survived by her husband Eugene; her son David (Sara), both of Caledonia; her daughter Sara (Adam) Rosin of Lakeville, Minn.; her grandchildren Madisyn, Makayla, Jayden, Brevyn and Laynie Tessmer, and Abigail, Alex, Lydia and Isabella Rosin.
Janice is further survived by her siblings Lila Kasten of Caledonia, Letha Fall of Ankeny, Iowa, Donald (Janice Cooper) Dehning of Waukon, Iowa, and Carol Plank of Lake City, Minn.; her sisters-in-law Lois Dehning of Spring Grove and Betty Tessmer of Caledonia, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Janice was preceded in death by her parents, father and mother-in-law Robert and Adeline Tessmer; siblings Viola (Paul) Zell, Lloyd (Delores) Dehning, Merlin “Slim” Dehning, Lorraine (Ronald) Peter, and Alice Dehning; in-laws Hillery Kasten, Gerald Fall; Margery Dehning, Eugene Plank, Marian Houge and Daryl Tessmer; and her nephews Rick Dehning and Richard Kasten.
The family would like to thank the Gundersen Tweeten Care Center and the Mayo Hospice staff for the compassionate care given to Janice.
Memorials are preferred to St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church and/or School.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday May 3, 2025, at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 650 N. Kingston St, Caledonia. Rev. Tom Schultz will officiate. Burial will follow in Evergreen cemetery. A visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. until the time of service Saturday, both at the church.
Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.FredricksonFuneralHomes.com.
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