Charles LaVerne Tesch, Sr.

Funeral service for Charles Tesch Sr. was held Monday, June 5, 2023 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church with Rev. Dr. Eugene Zeller officiating; interment to follow at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. Charles LaVerne Tesch Sr. passed away Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at The Legacy Living and Rehabilitation Center.

Charles LaVerne Tesch, Sr. of Pine Haven, Wyoming, was born and raised in Lead, South Dakota, to Charles Arnold Tesch, Sr. and Gertrude Marie Tesch (Bratt). He was baptized, confirmed and married at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Lead.

He married Myrna Rae Tesch (Eidsness) on June 11, 1960. Their two children (Cheryl Lynn Tesch (Allen) and Charles Laverne Tesch, Jr.) also attended, were baptized and confirmed at Bethel.

Chuck attended and graduated from Lead High School in 1956. He started raising a family with Myrna then went back to school at Black Hills State University while working for the Homestake Mining Company.

He graduated in 1968 with a degree in Industrial Arts and Economics. His career at Homestake varied and he was the mine superintendent when he retired in 1995.

After retirement he started a consulting company where he traveled to Chile, Tobago, Canada and many US states. During the ten years of consulting, Chuck and Myrna built their dream home in Pine Haven, which has less snow than Lead.

After he retired from consulting, Chuck and Myrna traveled to far places like China, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, Hawaii and following the Martin Luther trail through Europe. They followed rivers (Danube, Rhine) in Europe, the Columbia River in Washington State and Alaskan rivers on a smaller river cruise ship. These smaller river cruising adventures were long-time favorites.

During his life, Chuck was active as a Scout Leader, volunteer fireman, Kiwanis, church councils, car clubs and helping those in need of help.

He is survived by his wife, Myrna; daughter, Cheryl (Alban Ontario); son, Chuck and wife Susan (White Rock, New Mexico); three grandchildren, Jared, Sarah and Caleb; and one great grandchild, Lev. Arnold Tesch is Chuck's remaining sibling.

Chuck's parents and siblings, Leroy, Bob, Marlene, Bill and David, precede Chuck.

Chuck's many friends were very important people in his life. Chuck worked for Al Winters at Homestake for many years and during this time they became very close friends.

Al said he was honored to have been able to have Chuck work for him and that he was the most talented mine superintendent he ever worked with.

Other close family friends of Chuck were Randy Blakeman, Jeff Wandler, Bob Mykleby, Lane Cochran, Mark Thomas, Bernie Sawin, Bob Sieveke, Joe Slattery and Dale Floen but family was always his priority.

Chucks hobbies were many but included snowmobiling while in South Dakota, politics (throughout his life), woodworking, restoring classic cars, collecting mining related antiques, restoring gas pumps and oil related memorabilia, building garages for his collections and making the Pine Haven yard the best kept yard in town. 

The family requests any gifts or memorials be sent to the Campbell County Home Hospice in care of Chuck Tesch. The Hospice will use any monetary donations to help the wonderful nursing staff and to support those in need.

The website for the CCHH is www.cchwyo.org/services/home-health-and-hospice/. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716.