Obituary for Leona Elizabeth Tennessen
January 4, 1921 – May 30, 2023
Leona Elizabeth Tennessen, age 102, passed away quietly on May 30 at Maranatha Care Center, Brooklyn Center, Minn. She was born in Cassville, Wis., Jan. 4, 1921, the daughter of the late Joseph and Laura (nee: Wilcox) Fishnick.
On Aug. 2, 1941, she was united in marriage to James P. Tennessen, and they were blessed with three children, Paul, Eugene, and Caroll. Leona and Jim were married for 56 years before Jim passed away on Aug. 31, 1997. Leona was Jim’s support as he operated his business, Jim’s Garage Door Service for 20 years. Leona was a resident of Racine for 77 years, moving to Brooklyn Park, Minn., in 2019 to be near her daughter.
Leona loved being a mother, cooking great meals, never skipping one and always ending with dessert. Her gardens provided so much to can and freeze. Her love of flowers inspired each of her children. So many animals were a big part of her life, always a little dog at her side. Family occasions were her delight, ever taking pictures to mark each one.
Leona was a member of the 3C’s club for years with her husband. She joined the Eskimo Snowmobile Club at Jim’s coaching, too. Leona will be remembered for her spunk, get-it-done attitude, gentle care, listening heart and sentimental spirit. Her faith was sure and strong, trusting alone in Jesus’ love and sacrifice for her. Leona will be missed for numerous reasons by all who knew and loved her.
Surviving are her daughter, Caroll (John) Brodin of Brooklyn Center, Minn.; daughter-in-law, Linda Tennessen of Franklin; four grandchildren, Dawn (Mark) Bednar, Steven (Traci) Tennessen, Susan (Peter) Krueger, and Wendy Tennessen; great-grandchildren, Ashley (Jon) Hernandez, Austin Parsons, Abby and Ella Tennessen, Alyssa and Megan Krueger; great-great-grandchildren, Enzo, Nina, Lexi, and Mia Hernandez, as well as several nieces, nephews, faithful neighbors and wonderful friends, and not forgetting her precious pup, Bonnie.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by her sons, Paul and Eugene; brothers, Derald (Donna) Fishnick and Loren Fishnick; and grandson, Kevin Tennessen.
Services
Visitation for Leona Elizabeth Tennessen will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on June 7 and from 10:30 until the time of service on June 8 at the Maresh-Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be sent to Braille Books for Blind Children, Samaritan’s Purse or a Humane Society.
Obituary and photo courtesy of Maresh-Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home.
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