Teresa "Tess" Morkassel, 90, formerly of Ada, MN, died Monday, February 13, 2017, at Perham Living Center, Perham, MN.

Teresa Marie Donarski was born August 20, 1926 to Joseph and Agnes (Adamski) Donarski in their home in Wright Township, near Strandquist, MN.  Tess walked 3 miles to the 1 room country school house on the days that she got to wear the shared shoes, through 8th grade. She told of a brick that served as her doll and picking berries (which she always loved doing) and growing, canning and later freezing their food for the winter. She told of learning how to sew on the treadle sewing machine and how she ran the needle though her fingernail. Tess told how the family would walk 5 miles though out the year to the Florian Catholic church. How they loved the family outing and how important it was.

Tess later left home and had her brother drive her to Warren with a small box that held her belongings. She began waitressing at a café. While she worked there, she complained of a spit-fire customer that would only sit at her tables. He would persist and later become her beloved husband, John Harold Morkassel. John's Mother, Helen, warned her that their life would not be easy because of his health issues. Tess took the challenge with love and was grateful for the helpful tips that her mother-in-law provided. She married her dear "Johnny" on June 28, 1948 in the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Warren. She was always ready to tell how her future father-in-law, Andy, made a huge effort to force white glads to bloom for her wedding bouquet.

In 1953 and 55, Lois and Sonya were born and she was busy raising them, as well as being involved with the church and community. In 1960, Lenee was born and completed the family. When an opportunity to manage a Red Owl grocery store in Riverdale, ND opened up, they moved the family and Tess stepped in to help cashier and run the business. She again was involved in the church, school, community and making family memories.

In 1964, when John's health began to decline, they moved the family to Ada, MN to manage the Red Owl so they would be closer to the families. Once again Tess was involved in running the store. She worked side by side with her husband and the older girls began to work with them. Tess still made time for her family, the Church and other volunteer work. John was always so proud of how hard she worked and how well she was able to balance that with family and church. Many times he would praise her with: "Tess could sell ice to an eskimo!". When John's health continued to decline, they sold the store.  Tess began working in the Ada Municipal Hospital in the dietary area. When her dear "Johnny" died, Tess continued to work and watch and help her children grow and leave home. She grew to see Ada as her family and dedicated many hours to Grace Lutheran Church in the Altar guild, quilting and spending her favorite time with the children in Bible School.

When she retired, she found joy in crafting and developed a new community of friends and another way to keep in touch with family while traveling to craft shows. She loved making things that could be used for everyday life and especially those things for babies and children. She had ever busy hands. In 2014, Tess moved to Vergas Assisted living, where she made more friends and was involved in helping the church quilters and attending services. The staff and residents were wonderful to and for her. She enjoyed visits with her family, especially her great grandchildren. In 2016, Tess moved to Perham living and again made new friends with residents and staff. She was in a very loving and safe place when "she went to dance with her dear "Johnny" on her way home to Jesus."

Tess is survived by her daughters: Lois (Mike Ellingson) of Fargo, ND; Sonya (Myron) Gunderson of Vergas, MN; Lenee (Doug) Wrede of GA; grandchildren Bobbi (Jason) Hestdalen, John Wrede, Hayley Wrede; great grandchildren Courtney, Carah, Matthew, Lydia Hestdalen; and great greatgrandson Logan. Her sister Loretta Donarski, and in-laws Jean Hanson, Dianna Morkassel, Mary (Adolf) Hapka, Benno Christiansen, Neil (DuRae) Morkassel and numerous neices and nephews, and numerous old and new friends.  She was preceded in death by her husband, John, parents, grandson Jeremy, brothers and sisters, Raymond, Conrad, Stanley Bernard, Mary, Katherine.

Her family thanks the staffs of Vergas Assisted Living and Perham Living and her medical care providers for the care and friendship they gave her.

Funeral: 10:30AM, Friday, February 17, 2017, at Grace Lutheran Church, Ada, MN.

Visitation: Thursday, February 16 ^th from 5:00-7:00PM, at Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Home, Ada, MN.

Burial: 2:00PM Friday at Greenwood Cemetery, Warren, MN.