"Sending deepest sympathy to Dee & family & Gloria Goll as well. Gary helped us with my parents funerals in Klemme & were grateful to him for his patience. Ron & Beverly Christiance Hummel"
In loving memory of
Gary Tenold
November 21, 1941 - April 21, 2013
Gary Robert Tenold, the son of Alton and Carma (Reinsmoen), was born November 21, 1941, in Forest City, Iowa. He graduated from Joice High School in 1959, and attended North Iowa Community College in Mason City, Iowa as well as South Dakota State College in Brookings, South Dakota and graduated from Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in Dallas, Texas in 1963. He married DeEtta Schleusner on September 3rd, 1960, and to this union four children were born.
Gary served funeral homes in Oelwein, Iowa and Fort Dodge, Iowa, before he purchased a funeral home in Spirit Lake, which he and his wife, Dee, operated until 1980. They moved to Belmond, Iowa and purchased funeral homes in Belmond and Klemme, Iowa. They operated these funeral homes until Gary retired in 2001. They moved back to Spirit Lake, but Gary could not stay retired. He began a part time relationship with Schuchert Funeral Home for the next several years. He loved the funeral business and the service he provided to thousands of families for over 45 years.
Gary was active in the Catholic Church by serving on the parish council and teaching religion classes. He was also a Eucharistic Minister and usher for many years. He was past president of the Chamber of Commerce, served 6 years on the Belmond Hospital Board as Trustee and was an active member of the 3rd and 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, serving 2 terms as Grand Knight. Gary enjoyed playing golf, working in his wood shop and on the computer, as well as hunting and fishing with friends and family. He loved teaching his grandchildren how to hunt and he especially liked building things in the wood shop for all of his family. The past six years, Gary and Dee enjoyed getting out of the cold and being "Winter Texans."
Surviving are his wife, DeEtta of Spirit Lake, Iowa; daughter, Kim Ingwersen, her husband Mark and their children Dr. Laura Ingwersen of Spirit Lake and Sarah Fonken and her husband, Brandon and son, Brayden of Jewell, Iowa; son, Dr. Scott Tenold and his wife Dr. Lisa and their children Jake and Cole, of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; daughter, Kristi Funk and her fiancé, Bruce of Woodbury, Minnesota and her children Austin of Spirit Lake, Iowa and Garrett of Milford, Iowa: and son, Dr. Steven Tenold and his four children, Mackenzie, Cael, Carson and Cade of Belmond, Iowa. He is also survived by his sister, Gloria Goll of Klemme, Iowa; brother Arlyn Tenold and his wife, Judy of Joice, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death are his parents, grandson Wesley, and brother-in-law, Lyle Goll.
A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2013, at 10:30A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spirit Lake. Visitation will be held Wednesday, from 4:00P.M. until 7:00P.M., with a scripture service at 7:00P.M. at the Schuchert Funeral Home. Burial will be at St. Margaret's Cemetery.
Tributes
"I am so sad to hear of Gary's passing. Gary was a great friend. I have many great memories but a few of the most memorable are: of the hunting trips we took in the Turtle Mountain Range for ducks and geese, watching him as he coached little league, the coffee chats in the evenings, and the ice skating rinks we put in for the neighborhood during the winter. I want to thank both Gary and Dee for giving me the very best little friend I ever had, I looked forward to my friend coming over to ask "Whatcha doing Mike Hawk?" Thanks for the wonderful memories, Mike Hawkins better known as Mike Hawk "
"Dear Dee, Scott, Kim, Kristi & Stevie Ten. When Denise called last night & told me of Gary's passing, it brought sadness and so many memories. What a neighborhood we had. You, the Hawkins and the Garnjobst families. The late night summer coffee klatch in the back yard after we had all the kids down for the night. It was nice to take time for "grown up talk". That was back when we were young enough to drink coffee at 10pm and still get some sleep. I remember drinking many, many gallons of coffee at your kitchen table/counter. Stevie Ten walking over to our house to find his friend Mike Hawk. And then there was the "fish store." What an undertaking, with lots of work and fun for all of us. Dee & Mike painting our kitchen red. Gary had such a commitment to Little League, and Dee always made sure he & Scott were fed and ready to go play ball. You two always had a project going with the yard, or house which activity probably never changed over the years. And kids, you were blessed to have such wonderful parents. Thanks for the Memories! You have my love and thoughts. Linda Mathews Hawkins Paulson "
"Ranchero will not be the same without Gary. We are so thankful to have known him. He was an absolutely great guy, always helpful, fun and hospitable..we will miss him so much. Our sincere condolences to Dee and family. Reg and Donna Wyatt"
"It has been many years since I last saw any of you, I have so many memories of our wonderful neighborhood when we were all young. There were a lot of hours spent playing,running, hiding, laughing, swinging on the bag swing, and playing the "master" game. I know that this must be an extremely hard time for your family. My thoughts are with all of you. May God be with you during these sad times."
"Dee--We will miss Gary a lot. We played golf at the Palms and got to know him as a gentle, fun loving soul who cared for his golf friends. We are sending prayers your way from Weslaco and offer our sympathy for your loss. Paul and Cathy Flannery "
"Kim, Mark and family,
We are so sorry to hear about the sudden loss of your dad and grandpa. You and your family are in our prayers."
"Dee & family-We are very sorry to hear of Gary's death. I was Gary's classmate all thru school. God's blessings to you and we will keep you in our prayers. Sharon (Charlson) & Ron Lance"
"Gary and Dee are my God-parents. I remember them both and some wonderful stories told to me by my parents Bill and Bonnie Thoreson. Please know that even though the years have gone by, I have thought about the family often. Gary has met up with my dad by now and I am sure of the laughter and smiles. Mom and I send our thoughts and prayers of comfort to you all. "
"We were so saddened and shocked to hear of Gary's passing. We remember visiting with you at Ranchero, and Gary assured us that he was feeling better. He really wanted to play a few more rounds of golf. His smile was contagious to all that he was around--he will be missed by many. Dee, please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. John and Anita Moorhead "
"Dee It is with great sadness that we extend condolences to you and your family. Gary will be remembered for his smile, laughter and genuine friendship. Although we have only known Gary for a number of seasons as 'Winter Texans' we feel privileged to have shared in his life. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Greg & Donna"
"This community was a better place with Gary and his family living here. Gary was a wonderful person and will be missed terribly. God Bless his family and keep them in your heart and prayers."
"To Scott and Lisa, Jake and Cole, our arms are around you in one of those famous hugs. And to the rest of the family we haven't met, our most sincere sympathy and care. We care about all of you in this SUDDEN EVENT that reshapes family life."
"No words can express the shock and feeling of numbness when I got the news of Gary's passing. Our friendship goes back years to when our kids were growing up together and traveling across the US to Vegas for a group vacation. Then there were the times Dee and I made Gary drill holes in buckeyes to make rosary. He was always so willing to take part and help. Gary was a special guy and the memories will be with us forever. I feel for Dee and the family because there is a part of them that is no longer here. When the door opens and she doesn't hear his voice call to her may she find the strength to go on. They have a large group of friends and I pray that the family finds peace and calls upon their friends at this time of their sorrow. May God Bless and hugs to you all. "
"My sincerest sympathy to the Tenold family. Although it was only recently that I met Gary and Dee, we became friends quickly and shared lots of stories and laughter. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family."
"We have a deep feeling of loss. Gary had such a wonderful sense of humor. He always had a ready smile and a comment that had you smiling in return. We consider ourselves fortunate to have been Texas friends to you both. Dee and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you."
"Dee & Family. We feel a deep loss of a very dear friend. We were so fortunate to have had the friendship of Gary & Dee for the last five years, as winter Texans. We shared much laughter and some tears. He will be terribly missed. NOINO ON, Gary!!!"
"Dee, we were so sorry to hear of Gary's passing! He was a very special man, he along with you ment so much to us! You were there when we needed you most and for that we will always be grateful. We were so disappointed when you left Belmond. Love and Prayers to All! "
"Dee and family, we were so sorry to hear about Gary and want to send our deepest sympathy"
"Tenold family, What a sad loss of Gary. Oh, the memories of all your kids I had and then some of the grandchildren. Gary had to be proud of them. I remember so many times coming into Mr. T's to buy clothes for John. You always had the best. The memories you two created. My prayers are with you. Peg Rick"
"We will surely miss our neighbor and friend, Gary. Our deepest sympathy to you Dee and your family."
"Our sincerest sympathy to Gary's family. Many prayers for you all."
" Tenold Family: I am so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. My heartfelt Sympathy: Your in my thoughts and prayers. "
"I will always remember Gary and Jim bringing such laughter to all of us at the Palms. Gary was always fun to golf with. You guys did such a good job arranging the Ranchero Classics and will be remembered a long time. It just shows how good a man he was and will be remembered. Henry and Barb Malchuk"
"Dear Tenold Family, I was shocked and saddened to hear of Mr. Tenold's passing. You have been such a wonderful part of this community for so many years with the funeral home, Mr. T's, I still run into Kim from time to time and occasionally chat with Scott on Facebook. Kristie...I didn't forget about you!!!! Wishing you peace and comfort at this tender time. Kim Thomas-Solko"
"Dear Dee and Family, I'm so sorry for this sudden loss of Gary. All I could think of last night was the fact that in a short time, Gary and Steve will be out fishing and both of them will be laughing like a group of hyennas over the silly things they would do together. I hope you and the family can sit around the table and relive all the good times you had. Those stories always bring a smile. Your are in my thoughts. "
"Dear Tenold Family: I am so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. So many people he touched will be sharing in your sadness. My fond memories include Gary's involvement in Little League, the sleepless sleep overs at Tenold Funeral Home, and working at Mr. T's (ok, the mall fashion show doesn't rank up there as a fond memory). May your many fond memories help you through this difficult time. Peace to you all."
"My heartfelt sympathy to you Dee. You and Gary touched so many lifes. Gary was a true servent of God in reaching out to people and being there for them, in their time of deepest need. Our family greatly appreciated what you did for us. It takes a very special person, to be a funeral director, and Gary truly stood out, as one of the best. May God bless you and give you the greatest of comfort."
"Dee and family, You have my deepest sympathy. Can only remember our kids growing up and watching our grandsons playing ball (Austin and Tyler Bice) Gary so enjoyed the out of town tournaments in basketball. Think it was 7th grade. Take care and call if you need anything. Gary was such a nice guy and fun to be around. Always smiling. Jeri Lowry Jeri Lowry"
"Our sympathy goes out to your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God Bless'"
"Your whole family is in my thoughts amd prayers. Your dad was one of the gretaest people I ever met. "
"God bless you and your family at this time of loss. And for all the good that you did for so many people at their time of loss. May God return 100 fold To you. Well done good and faithful servant.. Gary We love you"
"My heart totally breaks for you and your family.
You & Gary were absolutely the best neighbors
anyone could have. Always smiling, helpful, and having pleasant words to say. Our prayers are
with you and your family. If you need anything, just ask."
"Sorry for your loss. I will never forget the laughs and smiles I shared with him. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you."
"To Dee & family our deepest sympathy... Having you as neighbors on Big Spirit was just a blast! Seeing you & Gary cruise around in your fun old car, getting to share in your children/grandchildren's visits..... Makenzie playing with my girls, putting lots of make-up & earrings an Garret, and buying my first pair of rollerblades from the Ingwersen/Tenold garage sale! Gary will be missed, but was surely loved! Hugs- Natalie, Callan, Sophie & Gracie Hinn"