2003 Assembly Resolution 10
ENGROSSED RESOLUTION
Relating to: commending the devoted public service that Joy Teschner contributed to this state and her community.
Whereas, Joy Teschner began her love of nature when her relatives turned their homestead near Prairie du Chien at the junction of the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers over to the state of Wisconsin in the early 1900's so it could become Wyalusing State Park; and
Whereas, in 1945 she and her husband, Richard, moved to Whitefish Bay where Joy became the first woman to be elected to the Whitefish Bay village board; and
Whereas, the Teschner's moved to Mequon where Joy helped to initiate the campaign to incorporate the suburb into a city, and she became the first female member of the Mequon common council, the Ozaukee County board, and the Ozaukee County park commission; and
Whereas, Joy Teschner served on the Milwaukee County parks commission from 1971 to 1978, including a 2-year stint as president, the first woman to hold the office; and
Whereas, Joy Teschner was a co-founder of The Park People, a nonprofit organization formed in 1977, whose mission is to promote stewardship of county parks and to preserve and enhance green space; and
Whereas, after Joy Teschner moved into the city of Milwaukee, she became a vital member of Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee and was a tireless advocate for urban neighborhoods and green space; and
Whereas, Joy Teschner was a trailblazer for women's rights and was active in the League of Women Voters and Planned Parenthood; and
Whereas, Joy Teschner died Saturday, February 8, 2003, at the age of 93; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, That the members of the Wisconsin assembly commend the devoted public service that Joy Teschner contributed to this state and her community, express their sorrow at her death, and extend their condolences to her family and friends; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide copies of this resolution to her son, Richard V. Teschner of El Paso, Texas, the residents of St. John's Home and Towers in Milwaukee, and The Park People of Milwaukee County.
