Tessie M. Wasson, 90, of W. Branch Road, State College, died Saturday, January 8, 2005 at her home.
She was born December 20, 1914 a daughter of the late Harry Melvin and Sadie Belle Foust.
Mrs. Wasson was a 1932 graduate of Centre Hall-Potter High School.
While living in the Centre Hall area she attended Bethany United Methodist Church, Colyer.
Tessie successfully owned and operated a profitable dairy farm "Aulworth Farms" on West Branch Road, State College, for 40 years along with being solely responsible for raising her 8 children. As part of her farming venture, for 40 years, she kept 300 chickens yearly and sold farm fresh eggs to local customers. In addition she sold bottled processed milk which she delivered by truck to customers for 25 years. She had a strong work ethic, was an astute business woman and was fiercely independent. Due to health reasons she retired from farming in 1989 and moved to a house on her homestead, where she remained independent and lived in and cared for her own home. She maintained a deep interest in farming and attending local public auctions.
As a person of varied interests, she enjoyed watching "The Price is Right, "Larry King Live" and "Judge Judy". She was a country music fan and was especially impressed with Tim McGraw.
She enjoyed canning all types of fruits and vegetables.
She was an avid football and baseball fan. In her last years she took up groundhog hunting and shot her last one just 3 months ago. Four of her sons served in the military, and recently her utmost concern was young soldiers losing their lives in Iraq.
As a humanitarian she was deeply interested in and regularly contributed to the Boalsburg Fire Company as well as other local organizations.
She is survived by 8 children, Paul F. "Bud" Wasson and his wife Louise of Pine Grove Mills, Lynn Wasson and his wife Carol of Pine Grove Mills, John Wasson and his wife Louise of Warriors Mark, Carl Wasson of Shingletown, Linda Wasson of Lewistown and her companion Fern Harmon of Middleburg, Joseph Wasson of Leesburg, VA, Doris Corl and her husband Dennis of State College, and Rosalie Corl and her husband C. Thomas of State College; 16 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, 4 step great grandchildren and 4 step great great grandchldren.
She was preceded in death by 3 sisters, Agnes Dieffenbacher, Alta Leister and Edna Musser; 1 brother, Lee Cummings and 1 step brother Chester Foust.
Friends will be received from 6 - 8 p. m. Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at the Mark D. Heintzelman funeral Service, 226 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Centre Hall, PA. The funeral will be at 10:30 a. m. Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at the funeral home with the Rev. Richard S. Zuber officiating. Burial will be in the Zion Hill Cemetery, Colyer, PA.
Contributions in her memory can be made to Bethany United Methodist Church, C/O Sandra Muthersbaugh, 354 Taylor Hill Road, Centre Hall, PA 16828.
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfunealhome.com then click on obituaries.