Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 271062
Title: Francisco Tello
Date: 12/4/1919-9/18/2023
Inscription/Marks: 12/4/1919
Summary: Francisco Tello passed peacefully in his sleep September 18, 2023, in Chitre, Panama. A celebration of life was held October 20, 2023, at First Baptist Church, Bismarck. Burial was at Fairview Cemetery. Francisco was born December 4, 1919, to José Francisco, Sr. and Rosario Saavedra Tello. He grew up in the town of Santa Maria and spent much of his childhood riding horses and helping on his family’s cattle ranch. Francisco planned to attend college in France, but World War II changed his direction. In 1943 he came to the United States to attend Central College in Pella, IA. He was one of the first foreign students to be accepted to the college. It was there that he met and fell in love with Bertha Ann Reynen. They were married January 30, 1945. With Bertha helping him to learn English, he earned his BS in Microbiology. He then attended the University of Minnesota where he earned his master’s degree in tropical disease. In 1954 he and Bertha moved their family to Bismarck, ND. He worked at St. Alexius Hospital as the director of the laboratory. He was then employed by Missouri Valley Clinic, (later to become Mid Dakota Clinic) as the Director of Laboratory Services. He also taught Spanish classes at St. Mary’s High School. Francisco and Bertha were active members of the First Baptist Church in Bismarck where Francisco taught Sunday school and served as superintendent and trustee. He also served as president of the North Dakota State Society of Medical Technology. Francisco served for many years as Honorary Consul to Guatemala. In 1991 he retired and found enjoyment in reading, gardening, family activities, and travels with his wife. On April 18, 1961, he fulfilled his desire to become a naturalized citizen of the United States. He taught and lived by example: “set goals, work hard, play hard,” and give of your best ability in your chosen career. He believed in giving back to the community. He was a gifted storyteller and was always the life of the party! His greatest joy in life was his family. Following the death of his beloved wife Bertha, he wanted to return to his home in Panama. He is survived by his 10 children: Judy (Paul), Bob (Becky), Rick (Vicki), Ron (Joyce), Kathy (Todd), Chico (Nataliya), Tony (Jan), John, Tim (Julie), Mike (Carol); his foster daughter, Carmen Rodriquez; as well as 22 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren.
Red ID: FND_I_78552 Image ID: 595412 Image Notes: FND001 271062

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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