William C. 'Bill' Tentis — Kellogg

William C. "Bill" Tentis, 73, of Kellogg, died Wednesday, April 2, 2014, at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Wabasha.

He was born Oct. 15, 1940, in Wabasha, the son of Caleb and Eleanor (McNallan) Tentis. He was a graduate of St. Felix High School in Wabasha. Bill married Mary Passe Oct. 12, 1963, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Kellogg. He farmed with his father and brother, Chuck, before and after his marriage, on the family farm in Cook's Valley, rural Kellogg. Bill also was a truck driver from 1986-2002 for Pine Bend Paving in Rosemount.

He served his country in the U. S. Army Reserve with the 544th Ordnance Division located in Wabasha, and was called to active service during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Bill was a lifelong member of St. Agnes Catholic Church and a member of the Kellogg American Legion Post #546. He was also a member of the Teamsters Union #120 and a member of the American Angus Association.

Bill enjoyed his fishing trips, riding around the farm on his four-wheeler and visiting with his many friends. He especially loved spending time with his family and his grandchildren, in particular.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Tentis, Kellogg; children and spouses, Mike Tentis and partner, Jeff Farley, Sacramento, Calif., Sharon and Rick Wolf, Kellogg, Jim and Jill Tentis, Plainview, Karen and Randy Siem, Elgin, David and Lynn Tentis, Rosemount and Jeff Tentis, Kellogg; 16 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law, Loretta and Tony Sharpe, Northfield and Alice and John Aho, Coon Rapids; sisters-in-law, Jeani Tentis, Wabasha and Cheri Tentis, Altura; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Caleb and Eleanor Tentis, and two brothers, Pete and Chuck Tentis.

A funeral Mass will be offered Saturday, April 5, at 11 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Kellogg, with the Rev. Monsignor Thomas Cook officiating. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery. Military honors will be performed by the Kellogg American Legion Post #546, the Wabasha American Legion Post #50 and the Burkhardt-Roemer VFW Post #4086.

Casket bearers will be grandsons, Mitchell, Joseph, Cody and Thomas Wolf, Ryan Tentis and Jacob Stamschror.

Honorary bearers will be the remainder of his grandchildren, Ben Tentis, Nick and William Tentis, Christian, Sadie and Brynn Tentis, Holly and Morgan Stamschror, Grace Tentis and Cecelia Tentis.

Family and friends may call at the Abbott Funeral Home in Wabasha on Friday, April 4, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and at the church on Saturday one hour before the service.

Memorials are preferred to the family so they can give donations to their favorite charities in his name.

The Abbott Funeral Home of Wabasha is in charge of arrangements. abbottfh.com