Edith Lucille Tennis

Edith Tennis was born on February 18th, 1930, in Primghar, Iowa, the youngest of six children born to Daniel and Amanda (Srock) Reimann. The family moved to southern Minnesota when Edith was a child. She was baptised and confirmed in the Lutheran church, and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1948.

She was united in marriage to Philip Tennis of Hayward on July 20th, 1949, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Waltham, and together they raised a family of six children. They lived for their entire 64-year marriage on the family farm north of Hayward.

Edith was an accomplished homemaker and balanced the demands of a large family with being an equal partner in the farming operation. She maintained a beautiful and welcoming home where her children and grandchildren loved to gather. She was an excellent seamstress and also participated in quilt-making activities in later years with church friends. Her home was complemented by her beautiful flower gardens. She often said that she was blessed to live a life she and husband loved, raising a family in the country.

Throughout the years, Edith took an active role in community activities and was dedicated to community service, especially in her church. Over the years she organized Sunday School classes and served as officer of various women’s organizations. She was active in local and state politics.

Edie was equally happy in a serving or leadership role and she was good at both. Her husband Philip often commented that any successes he experienced were equally due to her work, support and wisdom.

Edith shared a love of music with her husband and family, and her beautiful soprano voice was shared with the community as she and Philip sang for many weddings and funerals over the years. She also sang for many years in the Hayward Church choir.

She and Philip were active supporters of the activities of their children and grandchildren including sports, 4-H, music and drama, and, in fact, won awards for their visibility and enthusiasm. They loved to travel and enjoyed many trips together.

She was a compassionate and loving woman and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Barbara Tennis and Luc Bovens, Becky Tennis Hanson and Mick Hanson, Mary Tennis and Stacy LaVres, Brad and Helmy Tennis, Cindy and Bryce Gaudian, and Wes and Cammie Tennis; grandchildren Tracey (Grant) Domke, Peter (Jessica) Tennis, Jessica Hanson, Annemieke Tennis, Kate (Sean Winters) Tennis, Carl (Emelia) Gaudian, Emily Gaudian, Laura Gaudian, Caylee Tennis, Caleb Gaudian, and Bethany Tennis; great-grandchildren Isaiah Gaudian and Celia Domke, and step-great-grandchild Jayce Dickman.

Edith was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Philip, her parents Dan and Amanda Reimann, her sister Mildred (Pete) Bergstrom, and brothers Carl (Viola), Arnold (Mary), Ernest and Walter Reimann.

Edith died peacefully Thursday, September 5, 2013 at her home.  

The family requests no memorials.