Tena Brenneis

Katharina (Tena) Melinda Brenneis formerly from Hollenberg, Ks. passed away, on June 29, 2021, at Mike and Tena's farmhouse, she was 102 years, 2 months, and 13 days old. Tena was born on April 16, 1919 to Henry P. & Maria D. Buller (Janzen) in Canada.

Tena worked in Steele City, Nebraska from the time she was 18 years old at the Steele City Hospital as a nurse and worked a lot in the development of the x rays, she even found herself in a home without the Dr. and had to deliver a baby, while the Dr, (Morgan) was stuck on the other side of the railroad tracks waiting on a train to move on down the track. All under the directions of Dr. Morgan. She met her future husband Mike while working at the hospital. Cletus (Mike) and (Tena) were married February 6th in 1944, at the Mennonite Church in Henderson, Nebraska. They had 3 children, Martha (Jean) Brenneis, Larry Brenneis, & the youngest Lavina Smith (Brenneis). They both kept a close loving eye on them,and was always there for them no matter what they needed. In the earlier years of their marriage, besides farming and raising cattle, they also raised geese, rabbits, sheep, hogs, chickens, gennies and honeybees they also had milk cows and horses. They moved the family to Steele City, Nebraska in around 1962 and they lived there for about 8 years, where she helped the neighbors that needed a helping hand with their health. They then moved back to Hollenberg, Ks. After Dr. Morgan passed away, she worked for Lollies in Fairbury, until it closed. She then went to work for the Kellwood Co., also in Fairbury. She retired from Kellwood's at the age of 62. She then stayed close to home. She always had a garden, so she then concentrated on growing her garden and canning for her family, only the garden kept getting larger and larger. Their neighbors Alma and Marty Siebengartner became close friends, Tena and Alma spent many years quilting quilts for both their families, including their grandchildren. After her good friend Alma moved to Fairbury, then latter passed away. Tena quilted a few years alone, but it was not nearly as enjoyable. Tena also enjoyed her house plants and had every room of the house full of houseplants of all types, and the yard always had ALL colors of Peonies, Irises, Creeping Phlox, Mother Hen and Chicks, Lily of the Valley, Roses, Daylilies, and of course the indoor plants went outside in the summer. Her husband for 52 years Mike passed away in January of 1996 he was 74. Tena stayed on the farm after his passing and had grandchildren to keep her busy and watch grow. She also helped other neighbors of Hollenberg as their health deteriorated.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Cletus (Mike), brothers, and sisters: David, Marie, Henry his wife Hilda, John his wife Netty, Jacob, Dave & his wife Elsie, Anna & her husband Arthur Wiebe, Sarah (Sara)& her husband Henry Regier. Her inlaws: Lester & his wife Marva Brenneis, Dale Brenneis, Fletcher & his wife Gwen Brenneis, Fletcher's twin sister, Alden & his wife Helen Brenneis, Norma & her husband Lyle Hennerberg. Nieces and Nephews: Darlene Powell, Wanda Johnson, Dianne Buller, Paul Buller, Walter Buller, Alvin Buller, Levi Buller, Fletcher Allen Brenneis (infant), and Eugene Brenneis.

She is survived by her daughter Martha Jean Brenneis, her son Larry Brenneis and her youngest daughter Lavina Smith (Brenneis), Grandchildren: Heather, Hannah (Smith) & her husband Tanner Campbell, Mikaela Smith & her significant other Chad Beck, and Sarah Smith & fiance David Cantu. Numerous Nieces and Nephews!

Services will be Saturday, July 10, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury with burial in Joy Creek Cemetery – Hollenberg.  A lunch will be served at the funeral home at noon.  Viewing will be Thursday & Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home.  The family will be there to greet friends Friday evening from 5 – 8 p.m. Memorials will go to the Family’s Choice in care of the funeral home.  Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. www.gerdesmeyerfh.com