Dora Tesser
August 03, 2023
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Service Details
Dora (McGough) Tesser, 84, of Des Moines passed away Thursday, August 3, 2023, at Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center.
Born March 26, 1939 to Thomas and Leona McGough in Fayette, Alabama, Dora was the fourth of five children. She grew up in three southern states before her family moved during her early teens to Rockford, Illinois. She graduated from Rockford East High School in 1957. She obtained a degree from Open Bible College in Des Moines, where she resided for the rest of her long life.
Dora began her career working at the Open Bible Churches as a secretary in the denomination headquarters. She met Richard “Dick” Tesser, the love of her life, in 1962 and they married the following year. The Tessers raised two beautiful daughters before Dora became secretary at First Church of the Open Bible, where she served until 1991. At that time, she began a second successful career with Tupperware. Dora’s cooking and entertaining experience and warm personality made her a natural at home “partying”, and she managed and mentored numerous consultants over the years. Her church and Tupperware careers and serving her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ have resulted in many long-lasting, deep, and priceless friendships. Dora was a talented seamstress in her earlier years and shopping aficionado in her later years. She relished hosting family and friends for holidays and celebrations. An excellent cook and baker, she was well known for her cherry pies made with homegrown cherries and with love. Dora had a magnetic, engaging personality, and she didn’t know a stranger.
She is survived by daughters, Jodi (Tom) Clegg and Jill (Brad) Sims; granddaughters, Chelsea (Ace), Lindsey (Carter), Kara (David), and Maggie; great-grandchildren, Vera, Barrett, and Charlie; her sister, Christine; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers David, Frank, and Jesse, and her beloved husband, Dick, who passed in 2017.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street in Des Moines, IA with services following at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 9 at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway The service will be livestreamed at Livestream Link for Dora Tesser Service
Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Mark Mcgough
08/09/2023
Aunt Dora was a wonderful aunt and always a must person to talk to during holidays. She lived an amazing life and as a person who does sales for a living she was a person you could role modal after. Thank you for all the great memories and see you someday in Heaven with Grandpa, Uncle Dick and all the other McGoughs.
Stephen McGough
08/09/2023
We will miss you Aunt Dora! She was always such a joy to be around!
Valera mcgough
08/09/2023
Aunt Dora, I married into the family very young and your nephew became a minister . You will never know how much you influenced me through out my life. I always treasured your advice and council and leaned upon it . You were my inspiration in my role as a pastors wife . Thank you for always loving and supporting me and our family . You will be missed greatly . I will see you soon .. love you !
Tim McGough
08/08/2023
Aunt Dora and Uncle Dick where always a highlight to every holiday spent with the McGough side from playing cards, bocce ball and hearing all the tails of my grandpa growing up together it was always a treat to spend time with them. We will miss you Aunt Dora and know that someday we will see you and Uncle Dick again! Love you!!
Machelle Sylvara
08/08/2023
I had the pleasure of being a part of Dora's care and developing a friendship that I will always cherish.She loved having visitors and going on lunch dates .If ever a need for a cooking tip ,she was the go to person.Her Coconut Cake was unmatched.Late night visits and good conversations will be cherished by many who's lives she touched..
Kira Lett
08/08/2023
I will miss our weekend chats and her laugh. Diet Coke will always be Dora now. She was an amazing woman who made a beautiful family to pass on her legacy. She was so loved! Prayers to you all.
Mardell LeLaCheur
08/07/2023
Where to I begin sharing my love and appreciation for a woman like Dora Tesser. She was Dan's secretary while he was pastor at First Church of the Open Bible and one of my best friends. We shared so many great times in ministry and together as families with so many trips together. She will be missed.
Jen Bohnenkamp
08/06/2023
I will miss her smile! I always enjoyed the time I was able to have with her. She will be missed by all of the people that knew her.
Akers Family
08/06/2023
What a beautiful soul! May she be at peace with our Lord. Many prayers for your family during this time.
Ann, Dusty & Luke
Marlene and Paul Clark
08/05/2023
We have many wonderful memories of Dora. Especially when she and I worked together at the headquarters office and when our children were young. Our prayers are with you.
Carolyn McGough-Aldridge Choi
08/05/2023
Dearest Cousin Dora you gave so much joy to those in your life. We will miss your bright smile and warm heart. There will be many to greet you at the McGough family heavenly reunion.Hug yours and my sweet mother. Rest in ethernal peace.
Darrel Anderson
08/05/2023
Arlene and I knew Dora from 1956 through OBC on. Dora & Dick were married and in the church at First Church. Have maintained our friendship over the years and always enjoyed her gift of hospitality. Many fond memories. My prayers are with her family through these difficult days. The great reunion is coming!
Darrel Anderson