DuWayne (Dewey) Ronald Tessmann, age 69, of Bismarck and formerly of Goodrich, went home to be with our Heavenly Father on Thursday, April 14, 2016 under the care of Hospice of Sanford Health Continuing Care Center off Collins, Mandan, ND after a short battle with cancer.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1004 E Highland Acres Road, Bismarck, ND with the Pastor Donna J. Dohrmann officiating.

Burial will be at 4:00 p.m. at the Sunnyside Cemetery, Harvey, ND with Pastor Phil Leer officiating.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at the Hertz Funeral Home, 800 Birch Avenue, Harvey, ND.

DuWayne Ronald Tessmann, son of Clarence and Alma (Kroll) Tessmann was born on February 10, 1947 in Harvey, ND. He was raised on the Tessmann farm in Boone Township, Sheridan County, ND. He attended rural school in Boone Township and upon its closing attended Goodrich Public School for 5 years graduating in 1965. In the fall of 1965, DuWayne attended North Dakota State University in Fargo. He graduated from Interstate Business College of Fargo, ND in May 1970. In May 1995 DuWayne graduated from Bismarck State College, Bismarck, ND. He and his step-son, Mike, were students and graduated from Bismarck State College the same year but never had classes together.

DuWayne worked for Goodrich Machine (the John Deere Dealership) in the spring and through the fall of 1968. In 1970 he worked as bookkeeper at the Fargo Biltmore. In the spring of 1971 he started farming north of Goodrich and farmed in Sheridan and Wells County until becoming ill in November 2015. He farmed for 44 years.

DuWayne was a member of the First Baptist Church of Goodrich, ND. He served as Sunday School Superintendent and as Sunday School Treasurer. For a time he sang in a men's quartet sharing his beautiful singing voice with others. He served on the Goodrich Farmers' Elevator Board, Sheridan County ASCA Committee, US Durum Growers Board of Directors, and served as Sheridan County ND Wheat Commission Representative. He was a member of the Harvey Eagles.

Dewey enjoyed having morning coffee or tea with his buddies whether it was in Bismarck, Harvey or McClusky. He was so proud of his kids and grandkids and their accomplishments. Dewey was an avid reader, kept current on farm issues and world events and a NDSU Bison fan.

DuWayne married Helen (Overland) Fetzer on November 30, 1991 in Bismarck. This union gave him the gift of two step-children, which in turn gave him the gift of three step-grandchildren to whom he was so lovingly known as Papa "D". He loved sharing his love of the land and his farm experiences with his wife, kids and grandkids. Dewey enjoyed evenings out with his wife whom he dated throughout their marriage. Over the years of driving back and forth from Bismarck to the farm, they joked that they never met in the middle of the road wondering who had the wrong schedule. Dewey loved teaching his city girl, Helen, new farm duties whether it was having to learn to drive a straight stick, and then graduating to driving the bobcat, farm pickups, semi-trucks and her favorite the combine. He never forgot his step-daughter, Jeanene's, first experience on the farm when a thunder storm came up, the power went off and then having to heat the bath water on the kitchen gas stove. Dewey treasured how his city kids and later in life the city grandkids loved their farm experiences.

DuWayne is survived by his wife and best friend, Helen of 24 years of Bismarck, one step-son, Michael (Holly) Fetzer of Las Vegas, NV and one step-daughter, Jeanene (Matthew) Thompson of Bismarck, ND, three step-grandchildren; Colby Fetzer of Las Vegas, NV, Evan Thompson of Bismarck, ND and Olivia Thompson of Bismarck, ND; brothers: Brian (Candy) Tessmann of Fargo, ND and Myron Tessmann of Burlington, ND; two sisters-in-law, Darlene (Terry) Paulson of Vergas, MN and Harriet (Russell) Gessele of Turtle Lake, ND; brother-in-law, Donald Overland of Appleton, WI; 9 nieces and nephews; 12 great nieces and nephews. DuWayne was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Alma Tessmann and nephew, Jason Tessmann.

Dewey's heart and soul was with his wife, kids and grandkids and being the farmer God made him to be. He will be truly missed by his loving family and friends. God bless the memory of DuWayne Ronald Tessmann.