Tessy Stein Oxman Obituary (1924 - 2021)

Tessy Stein Oxman passed away at the age of 97 on Thursday night, June 30, 2021 with her girls by her side. Born Teresa Mae Stein in Hibbing, MN on April 25, 1924, she was fondly known to all as Tessy. The daughter of Louis and Gertrude Stein, she grew up with her beloved siblings Etheldoris, Alan and Leone. The Stein family had a busy and thriving life in Hibbing, running the family business known as Stein Rexall Drug. She took great pride in overseeing the gift department of the store, displaying the latest in home goods, tableware, and cookware. This was perfectly suited to her as it was an extension of her love of cooking and entertaining. In 1947, she married David Oxman, of blessed memory, from Duluth, MN and after their first few years of marriage in Duluth, they made their home in Hibbing. Tessy was very involved in Jewish life in Hibbing, arranging and cooking for teas and fundraisers for the Agudath Achim Synagogue, participating as a long time member of the local chapter of Hadassah, and baking for various synagogue events and Jewish holiday gatherings. Tessy was an avid duplicate bridge player achieving the title of “master”. She and David enjoyed many years of travel to bridge tournaments around the US and Canada, and made many long-lasting friendships. But her claim to fame was her extraordinary culinary talents. There was nothing more gratifying to her than to host family and friends and serve up gourmet meals - as beautiful to the eye as they were delectable to the taste. This was her greatest joy and special expression of love to everyone around her table. Tessy loved her family first - as she would often proclaim, “There’s nothing more important than family!” When David passed away in 2010, she moved to Knollwood Place in St. Louis Park where she could be close to her daughters. While there, she reunited with old friends and relatives, and made many new friendships as well. For the past three and a half years, she lived at Jones Harrison Residence where she won over the hearts of staff and residents alike. Tessy had friends of all ages, loved to laugh and tell stories, and her personable, down-to-earth, and outgoing nature endeared her to all. Tessy was a beloved and dedicated mother, and a proud grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her children, Susan Oxman Horowitz, and Lisa (Oxman) & Shmuel Etziony; her grandchildren Rachelle Horowitz, Nosson & Yael Etziony, Amitai & Chaya Sarah Etziony, and Tzvi Moshe & Tali (Etziony) Grant; and her great-grandchildren: Yisroel Meir, Sara, Tzippy, Rena, Leah and Shoshana Etziony, Chaim, Batsheva and Tzipora Etziony, and Dovid Yehuda, Malky and Dovi Grant. Additionally, she enjoyed a special and close relationship all her life with her surviving sister and brother-in-law, Leone & Jerry Altman; and kept closely connected to and loved her many nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceding her in death were her parents, Louis & Gertrude Stein; her brother and sister-in-law, Alan & Betty Stein, her sister and brother-in-law, Etheldoris & Arnold Grais; and her husband of 63 years, David. Thank you to the wonderful caregivers at Knollwood Place: Barb, Cindy, Sandy, Marcia, and Vicki; and more recently at Jones Harrison Residence - thank you to ALL of the outstanding L3 nurses and aides who cared for Tessy with dignity, respect, warmth and dedication. Special gratitude goes to Christina and Patty, and former staff members Hannah and Phyllis, as well as Richard from Fairview Geriatrics who provided exceptional care and attention. With great appreciation to Moments Hospice staff and their kind, professional, and caring staff. Funeral Services will be graveside at Greenwood Cemetery (Range Hebrew Cemetery) 1126 9th St. N., Virginia MN 55792 on Friday, July 2, 2021 at 12pm. Zoom also available, email zoom1@hodroffepstein.com for the link. Shiva will be observed at the home of Shmuel & Lisa Etziony, 2600 Kipling Ave S, St. Louis Park, MN 55416. Sunday, July 4 - Wednesday, July 7: 10am - noon; 2pm - 5pm; 7pm - 9pm. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to the STR Bikur Cholim Fund* or donor’s choice of charity. * Mail to 2625 Raleigh Ave S, St. Louis Park, MN 55416. Bikur Cholim provides Kosher meals, transportation and advocacy for the many Jewish families from our community, as well as those that come from all over the U.S., Europe and Israel to the Minneapolis or Rochester/Mayo medical facilities to address their serious health issues.