Willa W Bierbaum

Willa W. Bierbaum, 100 years old, passed away at her home, Arbor Garden Place, Eyota, MN on April 15, 2026. Willa was born on October 5, 1925, at the family Dushek farm home to Gus and Wealthie (Dushek) Miller. She attended country school north of Eyota (one mile from home). Following graduation, she worked at a dental office in Rochester, MN. She married Roy Raymond Tesch on September 7, 1946. They made their family home on a hobby farm SE of Marion, MN. Willa worked at the K-Mart service desk in Rochester for 15 years. Roy passed away on January 7, 1993. On November 19, 1997, Willa married Duane Bierbaum (Willa's high school sweetheart) who passed away on December 22, 2005.

Willa has made Arbor Gardens Place her home for the past 13 years. She enjoyed making her beautiful quilts. (She has earned numerous prized ribbons at local event showings) She also had sewing projects of all types, reading, watching game shows and playing Bingo every Tuesday and Thursday. Most of all, she enjoyed all visiting family and friends in her home. Willa loved the annual "Viola Gopher Count" celebration. Willa attended her first year and every year thereafter (minus one year due to a sick child) of "The Viola Gopher Count" annual celebration. She was crowned the "Honorary Queen" in 2024 and proudly displayed her crown/ribbon in the annual parade. That was Willa's last attendance at the annual event due to mobility issues.

She was a member of the Royal Neighbors of America since the age of sixteen. She was also a member of the St Paul's United Church Christ, Eyota MN, Tami Lin Groth serving as minister.

Willa is survived by her seven children, Ginger (Terry) Carroll, Barb (Roland) Helgerson, Bill (Mic) Tesch, Betty Tesch, Joe Tesch, Jack (Renita) Tesch, and Jerry (Aimee) Tesch.

Willa is additionally survived by seventeen grandchildren, twenty-eight great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, first and second husbands and preceded in death was Willa's eldest son, Wayne Alan Tesch on June 25, 2020.

Willa is also survived by Duane's children: Edith Apelt, Ross (Carol) Bierbaum, Randy (Diane) Bierbaum and Jean (Clinton) Wicks.

Thank you to the entire staff at Arbor Gardens Place and to the Mayo Clinic nursing staff/Hospice for their compassionate and empathetic care and assistance.

A funeral service will be held at Schad and Zabel Funeral Home, 115 South Ave. SE, Eyota, MN, with Pastor Tami Lin Groth. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester, MN. Schad & Zabel Funeral Services are handling arrangements.