Richard Eugene Tesser

Richard Eugene Tesser, 83, of Des Moines passed away Monday, November 20, 2017 at Kavanagh House after a valiant battle with cancer.

Born July 25, 1934 to Wilbur and Evelyn Tesser in Grinnell, Iowa, Richard was the oldest of three children. He graduated from Des Moines Tech High School in 1952 and attended Iowa State University before being drafted. Richard served as a technician in the U.S. Army Electronic Proving Ground at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona in the 1950s. He met his beautiful bride Dora McGough, and they began their 54-year marriage in 1963.

Richard began his career in the television and appliance repair business. In the early 70’s he then started a long career servicing and repairing passenger elevators. In 1996, he retired and started a home improvement business which he called the Happy Hammer. Richard was an avid gardener and a lifelong wood craftsman. He could truly build or repair anything, but his greatest joy came from spending time with his family and humbly serving his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

He is survived by his wife, Dora; daughters Jodi (Tom) Clegg; Jill (Brad) Sims; grandchildren, Chelsea (Ace) Wilde, Lindsey (Carter) Norine, Kara Sims, and Maggie Sims; his brother, Mike (Mary) Tesser; and numerous nieces and nephews. Richard was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Beverly Fahrenkrug.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 26 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Walnut Ridge, 1701 Campus Drive in Clive, IA and the funeral service on Monday, November 27 at 11:00 a.m. at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Kavanagh House Hospice. Condolences can be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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