Biography john tesch

John Walter Tesch of Oconomowoc, age 79, passed away on Friday, October 23, 2020 surrounded by his family. He was born on February 13, 1941 to Walter and Stella (Loppnow) Tesch in Oconomowoc. John is survived by his wife of 56 years, Patricia (Groth) Tesch; his sons, Joel (Cheryl) Tesch and Michael (Wendy) Tesch; his grandchildren, Jesse (Jessica) Tesch, Mitchell Tesch, Tyler (Skye) Tesch, Tori Tesch, Kati (Tolga) Kemal, Chris (Lynsey) Retzlaff and Greg Retzlaff; great-grandchildren, Levi and Josephine Tesch, Brody and Avie Retzlaff; his sister, Janet (Jim) Kloss; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, David (Gale) Groth; and many relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; and mother-in-law and father-in-law, Edwin and Lorraine Groth. John served in the U.S. Army from 1959-1963. John retired in 2003 from Waukesha Engine. He enjoyed playing cards, bowling, softball, hunting, and loved his casino trips with Pat and their dear friends. He also enjoyed helping Joel on the family farm and spending time with his family and grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2020 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 210 E. Pleasant Street in Oconomowoc, with a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. A private burial will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Neosho. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

John Tesch, 75 of Barrett, passed away Thursday, September 12, 2024, at the St. Cloud Hospital, surrounded by his family. A Visitation with a Time of Sharing will be held on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Hoffman.

John Michael was born on October 26, 1948, in Otter Tail County, Parkers Prairie, to Arnold & Mildred Tesch. He grew up in Parkers Prairie on the farm with two brothers and three sisters. He was united in marriage to Lillie Breeding on January 31, 1970.

John enjoyed time spent with his family. He cherished family trips outside of Minnesota enjoying the beautiful scenery. He loved being outdoors on his farm, in his vegetable garden, attending the annual country music festivals, hunting and fishing the Land of 10,000 Lakes. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Mildred Tesch, his wife, Lillie, and sister, Nancy. John is survived by his children Derek (Ann) Tesch, Tina Larson, Tiffanie Tesch, and Aaron (Sheri) Tesch; 8 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Ann and Cathy, and brothers, Tom (Ruth), and Mark; sister-in-law, Kelly (Wayne) Beran, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Arrangements by Erickson-Smith Funeral Home of Hoffman.

Instrumentalist

For the Record…

Philanthropist and Family Man

New Age Target

Selected discography

Sources

Few musicians have had as many successful careers outside the music industry as John Tesh. An over-achiever in many aspects of his media career, Tesh has traded all that to devote his time to his dream, a full-time music career. Tesh’s music is instrumental—tagged by some as New Age—and grandiose, combining aspects of jazz, classical and rock music, while highlighting Tesh’s piano virtuosity.

Tesh began his music career composing music for sportcasts. When he was chosen to cover the Tour de France as a sports commentator for CBS, Tesh wrote music that accompanied the broadcast and viewers were wowed by his musical talents. He received so many requests for a recording of the music that he released it on his own and went on to sell 30,000 copies out of his garage. Tesh’s music career has grown immensely since those early days. Today he has his own production company, called John Tesh Productions, and his own record company called GTSP Records. The GTSP stands for Gib, his stepson, Tesh, Connie Selleca, his wife and their daughter Prima.

Tesh’s album Avalon was recorded as a live album and video. Performed on the beautiful Catalina Islands in Southern California, the album was inspired by time spent in Europe. Song titles and arrangements have a distinctive European influence; these include “Spanish Steps,”“Venezia,” and “Aquila.”Avalon entered the New Age charts at number one and the video will be used as a PBS fundraiser.

Tesh’s music really came to the public’s attention when he released John Tesh: Live at Red Rocks in 1995. The project was funded by Tesh and was filmed with the intended use as a fund-raiser for PBS. But the event also produced a video and an album. Filmed at the scenic Red Rocks amphitheater, Tesh created a d

John Tesch, age 75 of Barrett, Minnesota, passed away Thursday, September 12, 2024, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Celebration of Life for John Tesch will be held Wednesday, September 18, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. with a time of sharing at 4:30 p.m. at the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Hoffman, MN.

John Michael was born on October 26, 1948, in Otter Tail County, Parkers Prairie, to Arnold & Mildred Tesch. He grew up in Parkers Prairie on the farm with two brothers and three sisters. He was united in marriage to Lillie Breeding on January 31, 1970.

John enjoyed time spent with his family. He cherished family trips outside of Minnesota enjoying the beautiful scenery. He loved being outdoors on his farm, in his vegetable garden, attending the annual country music festivals, hunting and fishing the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

John is survived by his children: Derek (Ann) Tesch, Tina Larson, Tiffanie Tesch, and Aaron (Sheri) Tesch; eight grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; sisters: Mary Ann and Cathy; and brothers: Tom (Ruth) and Mark; sister-in-law: Kelly (Wayne) Beran; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Arnold and Mildred Tesch; his wife: Lillie; and sister: Nancy.

Arrangements are with Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Hoffman, MN.