March 30, 1942 – September 5, 2020
Mr. Edmund ‘Ed’ Tessman, husband, father, grandfather, educator, and consummate craftsman passed away unexpectedly but peacefully, at his home in Red Deer, Alberta on Saturday, September 5, 2020 at the age of 78 years. Ed will be lovingly remembered by his beloved wife, Maxene; his children, Kara (Kevin) Claerhout, Kent (Jennifer) and Dean (Andrea); and his grandchildren, Ryan and Grant, Oliver and Harrison and Anastasia and Avery.
Ed was born on March 30, 1942, in the village of Bialobloto, Poland. At age twelve, Ed came to Canada with his parents, settling in Medicine Hat. It was there, that Ed met Maxene, the love of his life, and they were married in 1966. In 2016, Ed and Maxene celebrated fifty years of marriage together.
Ed received his Education Degree from the University of Alberta, in 1968 and received a Master of Education Degree from the University of Calgary, in 1981. He taught in Grande Prairie, Innisfail, Bowden and Spruce View.
Ed and Maxene lived in Innisfail for forty-four years and moved to Red Deer in 2019. His family was very important to him. It mattered to Ed that the family should spend time together, sit down at the table together, travel together and grow up together. He was their provider, protector and champion. He was, for his children, a model of what a parent could and should be.
He was a long-time member of the Innisfail Golf Course, and their President in 1999. After retiring from teaching, he even spent a number of summers working at the golf course, as a greens keeper. It was also in retirement, that Ed and Maxene were able to travel to Mexico, Palm Springs, Australia, New Zealand, China and most recently to Europe; where, for the first time since leaving, Ed visited the place where he grew up. For all his time in Innisfail, Ed was an active member of the Congregation of Peace Lutheran Church. He also served the community as a member of the Innisfail Lions Club for many years; including as President from 1982 to 1983.
Ed Tessman was dedicated to his family, skilled with his hands, conscientious, determined to do things right, and uncompromising in his character. His family and friends will love him, miss him, and remember him - always.
Due to Covid-19, a Private Family Service will be held. The Service will be live streamed; so please continue watching the Heartland Funeral Services Website for information to login to the Celebration of Life. If desired, Memorial Donations in Ed’s honor may be made directly to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 100, 119 - 14 Street NW, Calgary Alberta, T2N 1Z6 or to the Tom Baker Cancer Foundation, 1331 - 29 St. NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 9Z9. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd. 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006 Fax: 403.227.6437
