In Loving Memory Of

Coletta Mary Tennessen

Coletta Tennessen, the daughter of Henry and Catherine (Schlichte) Bruns, was born on December 9, 1916 in Wilmont Township, Lismore, MN. She grew up on the farm and attended St. Killian Catholic School. After graduation she remained on the farm to help with raising her 9 brothers and sisters and with the farm work. She also did housekeeping for other area families. Coletta was united in marriage to Vincent Tennessen on November 28th, 1939 at St. Killian Catholic Church. After their marriage they lived and farmed in the Madison, MN area and later near Lismore. They moved to Worthington where she was employed by Campbell Soup Co. for many years followed by employment at the FW Woolworth store. In 1970 they purchased an acreage north of Worthington where they lived for a number of years. In 1993 they bought a home in Fulda where they lived until 2006 when they moved into the Maple View Estates in Fulda. In February of 2009 they moved to a care center in Garner, IA. Coletta remained at the care center after Vincent passed away in June of 2009. Coletta passed away on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at the Hancock County Hospital in Britt, IA at the age of 100 with her family by her side. She was a member of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Fulda where she was a lector and belonged to the W.C.C.W. and helped make quilts for the needy for 20 years. She also was a 4-H leader for many years and belonged to project groups.  Coletta was a senior citizen club member and a Watkin’s Associate for 25 years. She enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. Coletta’s passion was sewing, knitting and crocheting and flowers. She attended lots of craft shows where she was best known for her Barbie and Cabbage Patch doll clothes. Over the years she was busy sewing quilts for all of her children and grandchildren, plus crocheted baby blankets for the great-grandchildren. Coletta was blessed with many great-great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her 8 children, Marilyn Luft of Andover, MN, Mel Tennessen and special friend, Patty Tibodeau of Brewster, MN, Elaine (Harry) Houwen of Petersburg, VA, Chuck (Sonya) Tennessen of Brewster, MN, Linda (Mike) Curton of Ham Lake, MN, Dan (Becky) Tennessen of Littleton, CO, Verla (Jeff) Ring of Shorewood, MN and Carleen (Steve) Oelkers of Garner, IA; 38 grandchildren; 58 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Irma (John) Schuerger of Cypress, CA and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, 5 sisters, 3 brothers and daughter-in-law, Carol and son-in-law, Marlin.

Funeral Services

St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church Fulda, MN at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 with Msgr. R. Paul Heiting celebrating.  The organist is Dana Hogan. Special music by Leslie Slater, Matt Tennessen and Krystal Bohnsack. The pallbearers are Steve Luft, Mark Luft, Jeff Houwen, John Curton, Harley Oelkers, Ben Tennessen, Matt Tennessen and Andy Tennessen. Interment at St. Gabriel’s Cemetery Fulda, MN.

Visitation will be Monday from 4 to 7 PM at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Fulda and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. The Totzke Funeral Home in Fulda is assisting the family with arrangements.