Phyllis Tesmer

Phyllis A. Tesmer, 87, of Grand Forks, ND, passed away on Sunday, 05/04/2014, at Altru Hospital. Phyllis Ann Tesmer was born July 31, 1926 in Walhalla, the daughter of Henry E. and Marguerite E. (Burt) Tesmer. She attended Walhalla Public School, and following graduation in 1944 she moved to Fargo enrolling at the Dakota Business College in accounting. In 1946 she was employed as a cashier and account clerk at a retail credit jewelry store. Starting in 1950 she went to work at N.W. Bell Telephone Co. in the payroll department. In 1958 she moved to Oakland, CA and was with Motors Insurance Co, a subsidiary of GMAC, as an accounting clerk, with a transfer in 1967 to their office in Seattle, WA. Following 27 years of service with General Motors, Phyllis retired in 1985 and remained in the Seattle area, volunteering at Bellevue City Hall for 8 years. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed her many visits with family and friends in North Dakota. Reading a variety of books, classical music and plays were great enjoyments for her. Her travels took her to many states, impressed with their cultural and educational benefits. She also toured England, Scotland, and Nova Scotia with their historical social amenities, and beautiful landscapes. She returned to North Dakota in 2005, living in Grand Forks, ND. Phyllis is survived by many nieces and nephews, who loved her and will miss her. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Earl and Merl, and a sister, Gilda Halvorson.