Raymond Tennessen

Raymond John "Ray" Tennessen, age 97 of Cannon Falls and formerly of Iona, died peacefully on Monday, November 22, 2010 at the Reflections Care Suite at Three Links Care Center in Northfield. Ray was born on July 10, 1913 at Wilmont, MN, the son of John and Elizabeth (Pacholl) Tennessen. He grew up at Adrian, MN, where he attended grade school. In 1932, he moved to Iona, MN with his parents, and worked on farms in the area. In 1940, he moved to Madison, MN with his parents and farmed for four years. On February 17, 1944 he was married to Gertrude S. Herrig at St. Columba Catholic Church in Iona. They farmed in Fenton Township for 24 years, moving in to Iona in 1969. He was employed with Johlfs Construction Company, and worked for Vincent Crowley on the farm, retiring in 1985. Ray was the recording secretary for the Catholic Order of Foresters. He served on the St. Columba Parish Council, as well as mowing the cemetery grounds for several years. On January 12, 1988, his wife Gertrude passed away. In September 1997, he moved to the Park Street Apartments in Cannon Falls, MN, where he served on the residence council for numerous years. He volunteered at the Angels Care Center, where he became a resident in January, 2006. He loved his wife dearly, and his family was very important to him. He enjoyed playing bingo and cards in his pasttime. He is survived by his two sons and two daughters, Ken and Mary Tennessen of Cannon Falls, Charles and Mary Tennessen of Northfield, Yvonne and Marshel Wilber of Council Bluffs, IA, and Camillus and John Bain of Woodbridge, VA; 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson; brother, Victor of Madison, MN; sisters, Florence Kunkel of Watertown, SD and Viola Ecker of Madison, MN; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gertrude; parents, John and Elizabeth; two brothers, Vincent and Richard Tennessen; and two sisters, Genevieve Moritz and Germaine Dunnom. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 26 at 12:00 p.m., with visitation from 10-12 p.m. at St. Pius V Catholic Church in Cannon Falls, with Father Jay K. Kythe celebrating. A luncheon will follow at the church basement. Active pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Christopher, Michael, Nicholas, Matthew, Mark, and Brian Tennessen, Elizabeth Lau, Shawn and Jeremy Wilber, and Jessica Bain. A visitation will be held at St. Columba Catholic Church in Iona on Saturday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., with a burial service to follow at the church cemetery. A luncheon will follow. Memorials are preferred to the Reflections - End of Life Care Endowment Fund (c/o Three Links Care Center in Northfield), or St. Columba Catholic Church in Iona.

Funeral Home: Lundberg Funeral Home 5839 Hwy 19 Blvd Cannon Falls, MN US 55009 Handling arrangements for service in Iona, MN: Totzke Funeral Home in Slayton, MN 507-836-6179

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Previous Events

Visitation
Friday, November 26, 2010
Service
Friday, November 26, 2010
Graveside Service
Saturday, November 27, 2010

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