After 105 years, 9 months and 8 days of living, Tena Elfrieda (Rohnke) Larson Wimer gained her angel wings on December 24, 2020, in Hillcrest Nursing Home where she had lived since May 2004. She was born on March 16, 1915, near Macon, Nebraska, and was the fourth of fifteen children born to Carl H. and Tena W. (Jelken) Rohnke. Tena was baptized on April 11, 1915, at the German Lutheran church near Macon, Nebraska. At the age of 16, she was confirmed into the Lutheran faith at St. Mark’s Lutheran in Norcatur, Kansas.
Tena met her husband, Fay (Bud) Larson, at a dance in Norton, Kansas. They were married on September 23, 1933. Tena and Bud were blessed with six children: Joan, Jeanette, Ona, Lelah, Wayne and Gloria.
Being a busy homemaker taking care of her family as well as working the land alongside Bud, her husband of 39 years, she developed her organizational and time-management skills. With her creative mind, she made her own dress patterns; designed box supper containers for two; baked and decorated cakes for everyone; and did beautiful embroidery. When she couldn’t embroider anymore, she began coloring. Her culinary skills included her famous potato salad and her wonderful pies with beautiful meringue. She also had sharp Bingo and card playing skills. Tena supported the school, church, and other community activities. There was never any job too large or too small that she would not tackle. Tena received the RSVP Recognition Award for putting in over 2000 hours of volunteer time. She even taught students at the Colby Community College in Kansas a few of the old-time dance steps. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Royal Neighbors in Lebanon, NE. You could often catch Tena watching her sports of basketball, baseball or football. Just don’t try to interrupt her when John Elway of the Denver Broncos was playing.
Tena was predeceased by her parents; her husbands, Fay (Bud), Leonard Phillips, Francis (Jack) Wimer; all 14 of her siblings; sons-in-law, Bernard Larue and Robert McConnell; granddaughter, Janelle McConnell and great-granddaughter, Erin Weber.
Her life will forever be cherished in the lives of all six of her children: Joan Larue and Wayne (Jo) Larson both of Oberlin, KS; Jeanette McConnell of Strasburg, CO; Ona Malleck of Indianola, NE; Lelah Larson of Santa Fe, NM and Gloria (Ramon) Godtel of Roca, NE; 16 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, 3 step-great-grandchildren, 12 great-great-grandchildren, 3 step-great-great-grandchildren, and many, many nieces, nephews and cousins, plus the Hillcrest caregivers.
A private burial will be scheduled for family only at a later time. Memorials are suggested to the family of Tena Wimer for future designation.
Due to Covid-19, the family is postponing Tena’s Celebration of Life service until later in 2021, when the polka & waltzing music can play, and the stories can shake the rafters with laughter.
Even though Tena is gone now, her children will make certain her legacy lives on forever.