Frank Henry Teske, 87, of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, passed away April 29, 2020, at MercyOne Medical Center. Frank was born April 11, 1933, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Frank and Bethel (Hammer) Teske. A private family burial will take place at Highland Memory Gardens and a celebration of life will be held at a later date at the Elks Lodge in Pleasant Hill.
Frank called the Des Moines area home his entire life. He retired as a Senior Master Sergeant with the Iowa Air National Guard at age 51 and loved telling everyone that he was retired longer than he worked! After retirement he was a substitute instructor at Drake University until he decided that took up too much of his golf time. His passions were fishing, golfing and playing the piano. In 1963 his family bought a cabin in Bemidji, Minnesota, where he enjoyed many years water-skiing, fishing and playing family games of pitch. He also has a home in Alamo, Texas, where he went annually from November to April to play winter golf with friends. In his Texas community he enjoyed playing the piano for Sunday church services and Christmas service.
While in Texas in 2018 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. After returning to Iowa, he had a stroke on Christmas Day. He gained enough strength over the summer to walk on his own and even play a little piano. His oncologist was amazed with his progress and encouraged him to head to Texas last December and even try golfing. Unfortunately, the pain took a toll on his body and he began getting weaker while in Texas. He went into the hospital soon after returning to Iowa and passed away after a couple of weeks. He will be missed greatly by his family and friends. They will remember his quirky smile, fun-loving/sarcastic personality, kind heart and even his stubbornness.
Frank is survived by his loving wife, Velma, and his children: son Steve (Stephanie) Teske of Winterset, Iowa; daughter Teri (Charlie) Riggs of Atlanta, Georgia; daughter Lisa Olk of Ankeny, Iowa; and son Sean Teske of Adel, Iowa. He also leaves behind six grandchildren, Matt (Shannon) Teske, Adam Riggs, Holly (Evan) Kaine, Josh Olk, Cassie (Nick) Cooling, and Justin Olk, and nine great-grandchildren.
Frank is preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent in Frank’s honor to Wounded Warriors or National Cancer Institute.
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