Marie Louise Tesch, 84

Marie Louise Tesch, 84, passed on Sunday, July 27, 2014.

Marie was born Sept. 25, 1929, in Little Falls, Minn., to Perry and Mary Stith. She was the youngest of her siblings.

Those who knew Marie heard her speak of her family often. Having raised eight children who were born over a twenty year period, Marie was rarely short of stories to tell or advice to share. One of her favorite stories was that of her and Elmer's courtship. Married after an introduction nine days before and having gone on only three dates, they eloped to a justice of the peace outside the state of Minnesota. As the justice read through the vows, they heard each other's first names for the first time. Prior to that, having only heard the nickname they each were known by, 'Lucky,' our mother was taken off guard by the given name of our father. Despite her surprise, Elmer Ernest Tesch and Marie Louise Stith were married for more than 64 years on the date of our father's passing.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer, who she has mourned for the last four years; eldest son, David; fifth in line Daniel; and, early in Marie's life, fourth in line Peter (twin brother of Paul), who has patiently waited for her since birth; and all of her siblings.

Marie is survived by six of her nine children: Paul, Mary, Michelle, Jeffery, Cheryl, and Christopher, as well as 27 grandchildren, and 35 great grandchildren.

Services for Marie will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, at St. George's Catholic Church in Post Falls, Idaho. Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Marie's online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.