Albert Tesch

Albert Tesch, 91, passed away at Benefis Teton Medical Center in Choteau on January 2, 1916. Funeral services will be held at Choteau United Methodist Church on Saturday January 16th, at 2:00 pm.

Albert was born to Fred (USA) and Ester (Canadian) Tesch in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on January 2, 1925. He grew up in Windsor until his junior year of high school. He spent many summers traveling to Bole, Montana, ten miles southeast of Choteau, to visit Art and Elsie Tesch, on Uncle Art's homestead. In 1941, Fred moved the family from Windsor to Detroit, Michigan; to comply with American policy, citizen's return to the US.

In Detroit, Albert worked with his father at Bruce Wigle Plumbing as an apprentice. He joined the US Army in Michigan in 1943, and after Army training as a truck mechanic, he was shipped to England. He was part of the 1590th Ordinance Company of the 356th Service Group, attached to the 371st P47 Thunderbolt Fighter Group, of the 9th Army Air Corps. Albert landed on Utah Beach, France; D-Day +8 in 1944 and traveled with the fighter group across France, ending in Castle, Germany. In late 1945, he was honorably discharged and received merits of accommodations, and honors from the US Army Air Corps, including a silver battle star.

Albert met Sarah "Sally" Aston just prior to the war and corresponded throughout the war. They were married in Windsor after the war. In the summer of 1946, Albert and Sally made their home in Choteau; first as a Minneapolis Moleen farm implement dealer and later as Tesch Plumbing with his father Fred. Albert was faithfully involved in the plumbing business into his nineties.

Albert was an active member of the Choteau community: including ; Odd Fellows, Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, York Rite, Moose Lodge, Shriner's, Eastern Star, Choteau City Council, Choteau Golf Course, United Methodist Church, Teton Pass Ski Patrol, Choteau Bowling Alley, Lions Club swimming pool and the unofficial morning coffee group. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and travel. His travel was highlighted by going to the 50th and 65th Anniversaries of D-Day in France and the Big Sky Honor Flight of Montana to Washington D.C..

Albert is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Ester Tesch; uncle Art and wife Elsie Tesch; older sister Edith (Tesch) Southard and brother in-law Cal; his older brother Charles Tesch and sister-in-law Elaine Tesch; and daughter in-law Diane Tesch.

Albert is survived by his wife Sally (Sarah) Tesch and children Tom, Margaret, Fred; sister in-law Eleanor Tesch; and multiple nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Albert had a long and wonderful life, he will be missed. Gorder-Jensen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.



Condolences can be online at gorderjensenfuneralhome.com.