Evelyn "Tessie" Emma Jeanette (Tessmann) Schwandt, age 91 of Markesan, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at her home.

Visitation for Tessie will be held on Saturday, May 28, 2016 from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, N1529 Hwy 73, Markesan with Rev. Mike Schierenbeck officiating. Burial will follow at Markesan Memorial Cemetery, followed by a luncheon back at church.

Tessie was born on August 8, 1924 to Walter and Lula (Burbach) Tessmann of rural Cambria, WI. She graduated from Randolph High School in 1941. She worked at Rockwell in Randolph for two years before working at Speed Queen in Ripon. Tessie then worked at Stamm's Sport Bowl in Markesan where she met her husband, Floyd "Sweeney" Schwandt. They were married on August 22, 1948 at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Friesland. Tessie worked at Hanson Drug Store in Markesan from 1947 to 1960, and then worked as a bank teller and assistant cashier at Farmers State Bank, where she retired from in 1992 after 32 years of service. She continued to live in her home in Markesan that she and Sweeney built until her time of death. Though they had no children of their own, Tessie "adopted" 2 of the neighborhood kids Dee and D'Arcy Evans (Golz) who were the substitute children she never had. Tessie remained very active enjoying activities with friends and visiting the local nursing home residents. Tessie loved to dance and frequently could be seen on Sunday afternoons at Prairie Lanes polka dances. She was also a charter member of Faith Lutheran Church.

Tessie is survived by one sister, Lorraine Paul of Beaver Dam; one brother, Harold Tessmann of Sun Prairie; sister-in-law, Phyllis Schulz of Waupun; several nieces and nephews; special friends, Terry Thiem and D'Arcy Golz of Markesan, Dee Evans of Berlin, Charlotte Paul of Randolph; as well as countless friends and acquaintances. Tessie was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd "Sweeney" in 1995; her parents; one brother, Walter Tessmann Jr.; brother-in-law, Merwyn Paul; sister-in-law, Bernice Tessmann.

If desired, memorials in Tessie's name may be directed to Faith Lutheran Church.

Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 181 S. Main St., Markesan is honored to be serving the family.