Jim Tenhoff

Jim Tenhoff, age 69 passed into his eternal life on Sunday, Dec. 10 at his home in Osakis. Funeral services will be held Monday, Dec. 18, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Immaculate Conception Church in Osakis with interment at the Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church and will be held from 4 - 8 pm on Sunday evening, Dec. 17 and also one hour before the funeral on Monday. The Knights of Columbus rosary will begin at 4 pm Sunday and the parish prayers are at 8 pm.
LIFE HISTORY FOR JAMES 'JIM' TENHOFF
Jim Tenhoff, age 69 passed into eternal life on Sunday evening, December 10, 2017 from his home in Osakis, surrounded by his five children after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
On November 24, 1948 James George Tenhoff was born to Harlan and Marie (Knoblach) Tenhoff in Alexandria, MN. Jim grew up in Osakis and one of his first jobs was working at the Red Owl grocery store. He graduated from Osakis High School in 1966. He was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Jim bravely served his country from 1968 until 1970 and received the Bronze Star service medal. On October 10, 1970 Jim married his high school sweetheart, Fayette Schmidt at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Osakis. They made their home in Osakis and Jim worked in the parts department for Shrode Equipment. Jim was then hired to work in sales for Rollie's Sales and Service of Osakis. This became his career and he has been a faithful employee there for forty years.
As a lifetime member of Immaculate Conception Church, Jim followed his parent's beautiful example of service. His love of Christ and devotion to his parish was evident in the many ministries in which he was involved. Not only was Jim a Trustee and past member of the Church Council, he was also a lector, a Eucharistic Minister, and a lifelong member of the church choir. He was a very active member of St. Michael's Council of the Knights of Columbus and served as Grand Knight. Jim happily worked the monthly K C breakfasts, conducted meetings and was always ready with a joke as the Master of Ceremonies at the fall banquets. Over the years Jim was also a faithful supporter of St. Agnes Parochial School. He enrolled his children there and served on the School Board. In addition to being one of the dedicated anchors for Eucharistic Adoration at the parish, Jim served on the Cemetery Board, the parish Festival Committee and led many funeral wake services. He shared his talents at the parish in many generous ways.
Jim was also proud to be a member of the Osakis VFW Post #7902 and served as Honor Guard and Quartermaster for over forty-three years. He volunteered without hesitation for all of their many events. He attended meetings, helped with countless Fish Fry dinners and fundraisers and proudly walked in the annual Memorial Day and Osakis parades. Well known for his whistling and wry sense of humor, Jim loved to socialize and quickly put people at ease. His absence will leave a big void in the lives and groups where he gave so much of his time.
One of Jim's favorite hobbies included restoring his International Harvester tractor and making sure every detail was just right, and he really enjoyed belonging to both the Appleton and Alexandria Tractor Clubs. Jim also had a large collection of petroleum memorabilia, such as gas station signage and equipment, and loved to take in area auctions to find new treasures. Despite his busy schedule, Jim enjoyed working outside and tending his vegetable garden. In the early years of his marriage Jim liked to go fur trapping, hunting, snowmobiling with friends. He also hobby farmed with his uncles, Delbert and Harry. In later years he enjoyed long walks with his loyal dog, Missy by his side.
Jim took great pleasure in his family and grandchildren and attending their many activities. His love for them, his Church, his country and the Osakis community made him a treasure to the many, many lives he touched. He will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered.
Left to mourn his passing are his children, Shari (Jeffrey) Klukken of Osakis, Craig (Stacy) Tenhoff of Appleton, Kari (James) Soderholm of Osakis, Brent (Sarah) Tenhoff of Grand Junction, CO, and Dana (Megan) Tenhoff of Ham Lake; 12 grandchildren, Nicolle & Dylan Klukken, Emma, Conner, Lillian, Alana, Briar, Owen and Clara Tenhoff, Evan, Micah and Hudson Soderholm; his father, Harlan Tenhoff and mother-in-law, Phyllis Schmidt, both of Osakis; siblings, Mary (John) Lang of Fargo, Linda Amren of Waite Park, Kathy Clark of Crystal and sister-in-law, Ree Tenhoff of Eagan; many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Faye (2016), his mother, Marie Tenhoff and brother, Donald Tenhoff, niece Angelina Amren and nephews, Joshua Lang and Peter Chmelar, and father-in-law, James Schmidt.
A Mass of Resurrection will be held on Monday, Dec. 18, at 11:00 am at the Immaculate Conception Church in Osakis with Fr. Thomas Knoblach officiating. Special music was sung by Mary Lang and Allison Fuchs. Readers are Sarah and Megan Tenhoff and gift bearers are Nicolle Klukken, Emma, Lillian and Alana Tenhoff. Interment is at the Calvary Cemetery in Osakis with military honors provided by the Osakis VFW Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers are the members of the VFW Post #7902, the Knights of Columbus and everyone at Rollie's Sales and Service. Active pallbearers are Craig, Brent, Dana, and Conner Tenhoff, Jeff and Dylan Klukken, Jim, Evan, and Micah Soderholm. Following the services, a luncheon will be held at the Osakis VFW Post #7902. Arrangements by the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis, MN.