Eleanor (McKerrow) Tesch

Eleanor (McKerrow) Tesch, 77, of Great Falls, passed away on Monday, February 5, 2018 at her home. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at Christ United Methodist Church at 11:00 AM with burial to follow at Highland Cemetery and a reception at the Scottish Rite Temple.

Eleanor was born on March 3, 1940 to Walter and Alta McKerrow. She was the oldest of three siblings, raised on a farm 18 miles north of Great Falls. She graduated from Great Falls High School in 1958. Following graduation, she attended Montana State College before graduating from The College Of Great Falls in 1966 with a degree in elementary education. In 1988 she wed Charles F. Tesch in Arizona, becoming a stepmother to four children, 7 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

She taught at McKinley Elementary, Russell Elementary, and Sunnyside Elementary, retiring in 1996. During her life Eleanor served on many organizations including several School District committees, The Great Falls Education Association, The Montana Education Association, and the National Education Association. She was a former member of the Delta chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Honor Society, President of the State Committee on Education, President of the local chapter of Beta Sigma Phi City Council, and a member of AAUW.

She also found time to belong to many fraternal organizations including the Great Falls Rainbow Assembly, Olive Chapter Order of Eastern Star in Great Falls and Fidelity Chapter Order of Eastern Star in Choteau, serving as an officer multiple times, including Worthy Matron and Worthy Grand Matron for the State of Montana. She was a member of Sapphire Temple #79, Daughters of the Nile in Helena, serving as Queen, Vice President of the local Nile Sewing club, and in 2006 received the Temple award given out by the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar. Eleanor was honored to be appointed as the first woman member of the Masonic Home of Montana Board.

Eleanor is survived by her stepchildren, Vickie Maurer of Dutton, Lyall (Kathy) Tesch of Great Falls, Dr. Cynde (Dr. Gary) Jacobsen of Fairbanks, AK, Vern (Coralie) Tesch of Hardin; step grandchildren, Holly (Perry) Walsh of Great Falls, Frieda Maurer of Oregon, Leif (Wendy) Jacobsen of Alaska, Lars (Emily) Jacobsen of North Dakota, Rob Tesch of East Helena, Thomas (Tara) Kirschenmann of Billings, and Jessica Kirschenmann of Billings; step great grandchildren Paige Maurer of California, Maryjane, Harley, Jonathen and Lillijean Maurer of Oregon, Leinna and Lukkas Jacobsen of Alaska, Ben Tupper, Haaken, Henrik, and Elleana Jacobsen of North Dakota, Kyler Tesch of East Helena, Zoe Kirschenmann of Billings.

She also is survived by her sister, Mary (Dr. Fred) Halvorsen of Findlay, Ohio; brother, Dr. Raymie (Gayle) McKerrow of Athens, OH; niece, Wendy (Dave) Myers of Mililani, HI, and nephews, CDR Peter (Courtney) Halvorsen of Rota, Spain, John (Elizabeth) Halvorsen of Indianapolis, IN and Matthew (Leslie Campos) McKerrow of Miami Beach, FL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Alta; husband Charles; great grandson, Jordan Tesch; son-in-law, Dennis Maurer.

The family suggests donations to be made to the Great Falls Public Schools Foundation, 1100 4th St. S, Great Falls,MT, the Shriners Childrens Hospital, 2900 N. Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607 or a charity of your choice. Condolences for the family may be shared at www.croxfordfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eleanor (McKerrow) Tesch, please visit our floral store.