Lorraine Teslow

Monday, April 29, 2019 2:12 pm

Lorraine Teslow, 91, of Decorah, passed away Thursday, April 25, 2019, at Wellington Place in Decorah. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Monday, April 29, at Glenwood Lutheran Church in rural Decorah, with Rev. Amy Larson officiating. Burial was in East Glenwood Cemetery. Visitation was from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, and Monday beginning at 10 a.m., one hour before the service, at Glenwood Lutheran Church. Organist was Martha Ludeking. Soloist was Sue Twedt (“In the Garden”). Congregational hymns were “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” “Jesus Loves Me” and “How Great Thou Art.” Casket bearers were her grandchildren: Jeff, Brian, Daniel, Hollie, Abbie and Natalie.

Lorraine Ethel (Stortz) Teslow was born to Carl and Luella (Thompson) Stortz May 21, 1927, in Pleasant Township, Winneshiek County. She was baptized July 17, 1927, at the Methodist Episcopal Church. She completed country school at Pleasant View No. 5 and married Walter H. Teslow Jan. 24, 1945, at Glenwood Lutheran Parsonage. In 1976, after Walter and Lorraine sold their dairy cows, Lorraine finally had time to complete a goal she always had – she completed her GED and graduated.

Lorraine spent her life with her husband Walter on the family farm in Allamakee County where they raised their three children and actively farmed from 1945 through 2007. Tragically, she had to endure the loss of her son, Michael, at the tender age of 10.

Lorraine was a true farmer’s wife and worked side-by-side with Walter milking cows, feeding pigs, raising chickens, cleaning the dairy barn and equipment, doing field work and feeding the family and hired help. She also kept all the records and books. In later years, when Walter sold AgriPro Seed, Lorraine did all the inventory and billing and fed customers and friends during seed days. She also enjoyed the many trips Walter earned selling seed.

Lorraine was known far and wide for her cooking and baking – especially Norwegian delights such as kringla, lefse and krumkake. Her door was always open, the coffee pot was always on and freshly-baked treats were always on the table.

Lorraine was active in her church and the WELCA. She served on several committees and held many positions with the Glenwood Lutheran Church circle, ladies’ aide and council. For many years, she baked dozens of kringla for the annual Nordic Fest church bake sale.

Through the years Lorraine enjoyed boating on the Mississippi, family picnics, family vacations, sewing and making flower arrangements. She kept a meticulous house and looked forward to decorating for the holidays and entertaining friends and family. No one set a finer table than Lorraine. Her bountiful vegetable gardens and beautiful flower gardens were a source of pride, and Lorraine looked forward to the end of April every year when she made a trek with her son, Dean, to get flowers at the rural greenhouses in Chickasaw County. Sometimes she even went back for a second trip – you can never have too many geraniums.

Lorraine also loved to dance. She and Walter attended local dances regularly and even travelled as far as Michigan to dance at the Molly B. Polka Party.
Over the past 20 years, Lorraine looked forward to the annual June fishing trip to Canada with Walter and her son, Dean. She loved the scenery, wildlife and especially the peace and quiet. Lorraine also enjoyed hooking the first fish and usually caught the largest fish on every trip. She also held her own playing cards at the cabin.

Lorraine always held tight to her faith, family, farm and friends. She asked little of others but always gave 110 percent in everything she did. Her life was an example of what makes an outstanding wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and neighbor.

Lorraine is survived by her beloved husband of 74 years, Walter; her children, Barbara (Eugene) Sanderman and Dean (Mary) Teslow; grandchildren: Jeff (Dawn) Sanderman, Brian (Kim) Sanderman, Daniel (Mandie) Sanderman, Hollie Teslow, Abbie (Kelly) DeGregorio, and Natalie Teslow; great-grandchildren: Caleb and Caitlan Sanderman, Hannah and Claire Sanderman, Taryn and Tegyn Sanderman, and Aoife DeGregorio; and step-great-grandchildren: Tayla Begnaud, Kyle (Chelsea) Begnaud, Kody (Shelby) Begnaud; her sister, Marjorie Severson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her son, Michael; her parents, Carl and Luella Stortz; and her brother, Virgil Stortz.

Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family.

Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.