Diane "Diana" Tess

Diane Tess, 68, longtime resident of Shorewood, WI, passed away suddenly on November 28, 2022. She was born on July 13, 1954, in Sturgeon Bay, WI to Kenneth “Pooky” and Katherine “Kitty” (Pisha) Tess. Diane earned her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and history from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Diane (“Diana”) dedicated her life to increasing cultural awareness as an educator at Nicolet High School in Glendale, WI, where she developed lifelong friendships while teaching Spanish for 35 years and selected as Teacher of the Year in 1987. Another important love of her life was expressed through her work as a leader at El Lago del Bosque, the Spanish Language Village in Bemidji, MN, which is part of Concordia College. Diane was on staff at Concordia Language Villages since 1975, serving as dean since 1979. She was so excited to be able to spend one final summer in Bemidji this year doing the work she loved, educating future leaders to be a citizen of the world. She impacted 1,000s of lives and her legacy will forever live on through her work as an educator, a mentor, and a friend.

 As a devout Catholic, she was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Sturgeon Bay. She also was an avid Packer fan and attended countless games over the years with her father and other family members and always had time to visit Kroll’s East after the games to watch the highlights.  She loved spending time with her 6 nieces and nephews and, when she could, her 8 great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her sister, Susan (and Robert) Haberli of White Fish Bay, WI and brother, Michael (and Jennifer) Tess of Sturgeon Bay, WI.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., December 17, 2022, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Sturgeon Bay with Rev. Anthony Birdsall officiating. The Rite of Committal and burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery Mausoleum. Visitation will be immediately preceding the service from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. To make a contribution in her memory, please contribute to the Concordia Language Villages Diane Tess Endowed Scholarship fund that has been established in her name or to the Fr. Tony Birdsall Prayer and Reflection Garden Fund through Corpus Christi.  Forbes Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

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