Elizabeth June Tesmer

Elizabeth Tesmer 86, passed away peacefully in her sleep October 26, 2017 at her home in Eagle, ID.  Elizabeth, known to her family as Bette, was born June 2, 1931, and grew up on her parent’s farm, Harpain’s Dairy, in Fresno, CA.  She attended Clovis Union High School, graduating class of 1950. 

Better met her future husband, Howard Tesmer in 1953 at a St. John’s Cathedral Youth Club event.  The two were married February 9, 1954 at St. John’s Cathedral in Fresno, CA.  They started a family and resided in Fresno until moving to Visalia, CA in 1996.  They recently moved to Edgewood, Spring Creek Eagle Island retirement community in Eagle, ID to be closer to family.  Since moving there in 2015, they have made many new friends and enjoyed participating in group outings around the area. 

Filled with compassion for others, Bette made friends easily and maintained contact with many.  As their children grew, Bette began a career in retail clothing sales at Gottschalks Dept. Store where she stayed until retirement.  Filling a longtime dream, Bette and Howard owned and operated a “Fine Dress” shop “Elizabeth’s” in Fresno, CA.  Bette also volunteered many hours at their local Blood Bank and was President of the Optimist Club in Fresno, CA and President of The Garden Club in Visalia, CA.

Bette and Howard loved playing bridge and belonged to many clubs over the years.  They also enjoyed camping, fishing and clamming in Santa Cruz, CA.  They traveled to Japan and took many cruises.  Bette loved to spend time in her garden, planting flowers and picking them to make beautiful arrangements.  Several times a year you could find them relaxing and enjoying the ocean waves at their favorite hide away, Cambria Shore’s Inn, in Cambria, CA.  Most of all Bette enjoyed getting together with family and cooking the meal. 

Bette had a favorite pet dog named Megan, who she loved and adored.  Bette was a avid reader – of the newspaper, and reading many Danielle Steele novels.  Recently, one of her favorite past times was watching all the different kinds of birds feed at their bird feeder just outside their dining room window.  She knew all the names of the different bird species in Idaho. 

Bette preceded in death by her parents, Alma and Rudolph Harpain, and eight siblings.  Bette was the youngest of nine children. 

Survivors include, her husband Howard Tesmer, of Eagle, ID. Daughters, Suzanne Luciano-Tejada, and her husband Fernando Tejada of Lakeside, CA and Linda Davidson and her husband Mark Davidson of Star, ID.  Grandson, Matt Davidson, of Visalia, CA and granddaughter, Jackie Davidson of Visalia, CA.  Along with two great grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Interment will be November 17, 2017, at 1:00 pm at The Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Eagle, ID.  There will be a Celebration of Life November 18, 2017 at 12:00 noon at the Club House at Edgewood, Spring Creek Eagle Island Retirement Community there in Eagle.  Family and Friends are welcome. 

The family of Bette Tesmer would like to thank “Maggie”, “Cindy” and all the staff at Edgewood Spring Creek Eagle Island Retirement Community, for your abundance of kindness, compassion and assistance with our mother.  A special heartfelt thanks to the staff at Abode Hospice, especially, Aubree, Jennifer, Jodi and Jim, aka Bob for your compassionate and competent caregiving for our mother and reassurance to know that her needs were taken care of with loving hearts. 

The family request in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Abode Hospice & Home Health, Meridian, ID., the American Cancer Society or charity of your choice. 

Cremation has been placed in the care of Cloverdale Funeral Home, in Boise, ID.

Bette’s humor, kindness and generosity will be greatly missed.  We will also miss her beautiful and happy smile.