Lerry Jean Teslow

Lerry Jean Teslow, age 82, of Scandia, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on June 12, 2026, surrounded by the love of family and friends whose lives she touched with her creativity, warmth, and adventurous spirit.

Lerry was born on November 19, 1943, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Robert and Helen (Scott) Swark. From an early age, she possessed a curious mind and a deep appreciation for beauty and learning. After graduating from high school, she attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, where she earned her bachelor's degree in education, beginning a lifelong passion for teaching and the arts.

In the late 1960s, Lerry and her husband, Bruce moved to Alaska while he was stationed there during the Vietnam Conflict. Alaska captured her heart with its breathtaking landscapes and rugged beauty. During her time there, she taught art at a local school, sharing her creative gifts and inspiring young minds. Later, the family settled in Crystal, Minnesota, where their two children were born. Though Lerry and Bruce eventually divorced, she remained devoted to her children and embraced life's next chapters with resilience and optimism.

A remarkable twist of fate led Lerry to the love of her life. In March of 1984, a friend responded to a singles advertisement in the Twin Cities Reader. Although the resulting date was not the right match, the friend believed she knew someone who would be. She introduced Lerry to Philip Teslow. Their first date took place at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and by the end of the evening they were finishing each other's sentences. It was the beginning of a love story that would last more than four decades. Lerry and Phil were married on November 17, 1984, and built a life together filled with companionship, laughter, creativity, and unwavering love.

A fierce environmentalist from the first Earth Day in 1975 onward, she served a number of terms on the City of Crystal Environmental Quality Commission. Lerry and Phil made their home in Crystal until 1999, when they moved to Scandia, where they enjoyed the beauty and tranquility of the countryside. Lerry was a gifted artist whose creativity knew no bounds. She loved painting, collage work, and photography, always finding inspiration in the world around her. She was also an accomplished piano player whose music brought joy to those fortunate enough to hear it. She had a passion for remodeling homes, transforming spaces with her artistic eye and imagination.

Above all, Lerry cherished her family. She leaves behind a legacy of love, creativity, and kindness that will continue to inspire those who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Helen Swark.

Lerry will be deeply missed and forever remembered by her loving husband, Phil Teslow; her children, Laura Piehl and Stephen (Heather) Ranney; her grandchildren, Wyatt Piehl, Ava Ranney, and Lexi Ranney; her sister, Leslie (Daniel) Kehrwald; and many other relatives and dear friends.

Her life was a beautiful work of art—filled with color, imagination, and love—and the memories she created will be treasured always.

A celebration of Lerry’s remarkable life will be held at a later date.