William "Bill" Tescher

William Joseph “Bill” Tescher, 77, of Mandan, went to meet Jesus on March 23, 2025, at Miller Pointe in Mandan.

Cremation has taken place. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Spirit of Life Catholic Church in Mandan with Fr. Keith Streifel presiding. Burial will take place at Mandan Union Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4-6 PM on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a Rosary/Parish Vigil at 6 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral at church.

The first born of 10 children to Tom and Lorraine (Pendleton) Tescher, Bill entered this world on April 23, 1947. He was baptized and confirmed at Saint Michael’s Catholic Church in Sentinel Butte, ND. He was raised in the country near Sentinel Butte. He started his schooling at Valley View School, a little country school just a half mile west of the ranch. He completed his formal education in Sentinel Butte.

Maybe it was the big brother in him, but Bill was always willing to help others – even a stranger. Many times, he stopped to help a stranded traveler - even offering his own spare tire if someone needed it. His wife often said, “Bill’s heart is as big as the state of North Dakota.”

Born with a learning disability, Bill was not always well accepted by others. However, he did not let that mistreatment affect his kind and helpful nature. Rather, he readily forgave and prayed for those who were not nice to him. Bill had an amazing memory. He remembered dates, places, people, what vehicle they drove, where they bought it and what they paid for it. Often times, when discussing history, Bill would be called on for his recollection and the details. Bill’s mind was geared toward mechanical things, especially tractors. His mother said that when Billy was a little tyke he would take apart toy tractors and trucks and rebuild them. He never lost his love of tractors and had an affinity for John Deere. Bill was a proud member of two tractor clubs: “The Dakota 2 Cylinder Club” and “The Dakota Aged Iron Club”. He was also a member of “The Romeo (Retired Old Men Eating Out) Coffee Club” and a CB Club. He treasured his friends in these clubs. Always wanting to tinker on things, Bill acquired hundreds of unusable bikes. He would disassembled them, and rebuild ‘new’ bikes, which he happily gave to kids. Sometimes the rebuilt bikes resembled the car described in Johnny Cash’s song – “One Piece at a Time.” Those bikes were an assortment of parts, pieces and colors, but they worked. It’s hard to say who smiled bigger on bike delivery day - the child, or Bill.

Bill was proud of his first paying job with the City of Medora. He held various jobs before going to work for Burlington Northern on the track laying crew. He worked “on the rail” for 25 years, retiring in 2003. In his off time, Bill was never idle. He did various jobs around Mandan. He volunteered for the Salvation Army as a bell ringer for more than 16 years.

In 1990, Bill put a personal ad in the newspaper. Jocelyn Achtenberg responded by writing a sweet note. They met and the angels sang. Bill moved to Mandan in 1991 and he and Jocelyn were married on February 14, 1992. They recently celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary at Miller Pointe, a care facility in Mandan, ND, where they were crowned 2025 Valentines King and Queen.

Bill never met a stranger - just a new friend. He loved to visit –with anyone. In recent years, he often went to Marlin’s in Bismarck to talk with truck drivers and anyone who wanted to chat. Jocelyn says every time they went somewhere, Bill knew at least one person.

Bill loved old country music such as Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and Boxcar Willy. He had a large collection of vinyl records, 8-tracks, cassette tapes and CDs. He adamantly proclaimed that modern country music was “junk!” He loved polka music and never missed an episode of Molly B!

Bill leaves behind his loving wife of 33 years, Jocelyn, his siblings Carol (Val) Obrigewitch, Ted (Kay) Tescher, Don (Ebba) Tescher, Becky (Pete) Robison, Doug (Julie) Tescher, Beth (Kevin) Clyde, Perry (Melanie Foster) Tescher, Teresa (Mark) Voll and Emily (Roger) Schmaltz. Brothers-in-law Tiff (Lori) Achtenberg and Greg (Mary) Achtenberg as well as numerous nieces and nephews– and he loved each of them. He had a special bond with two young buddies, his nephews Jake Achtenberg and Rye Johnston. Bill is preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws William and Bernice Achtenberg.

May we all treat others as Bill did, with acceptance, kindness and a willing hand.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Home on the Range or the Dream Center in Bismarck.