Bernice E. Tessmer, 89, of Tripoli, died Thursday, May 19, 2016, at Tripoli Nursing & Rehab in Tripoli, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at St. Paul Lutheran Congregation in Tripoli with Rev. John E. Block officiating.  Interment will be in the Church Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Monday, May 23^rd, at Rettig Funeral Home in Tripoli and for one hour preceding services at the church on Tuesday.

Bernice Emma, daughter of Edward and Lillian Tonne Koch was born April 21, 1927, at Tripoli, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at Faith United Church of Christ in Tripoli, and graduated from Tripoli High School in 1944. Prior to her marriage, she worked at the hatchery and cannery in Tripoli. Bernice was united in marriage with Everett Tessmer on December 4, 1965, at Faith United Church of Christ in Tripoli. A lifelong resident of Tripoli, Bernice was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Congregation where she was a member of the women’s group. At one time she was a den mother with the Cub Scouts, delivered Meals on Wheels with her husband, and volunteered at the nursing home. She very much enjoyed sewing and crocheting, and especially loved time spent with her family.

Bernice is survived by one son, Karl Tessmer of Tripoli; one daughter, Ann (Jon) Hilliard of Dike; three grandchildren, Lucius Hilliard, Danielle Husmann, and Joshua Hilliard; one great granddaughter, Alana Husmann; and two sisters, Marlys Popes of Clarksville and Janice (Bart Phillips) Koch of Fredericksburg.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Everett, who died in April of 2013.