Don Tenbrunsel, "Tenny", age 92 on April 29, 2020.
Born October 19, 1927, in Cincinnati, Ohio to John and Elizabeth Tenbrunsel. The youngest of seven children and predeceased by his brothers Bill (Martha), Jack and Howard and sisters Betty (John) Connelly, Mary (Arnold) Rosemeyer and Jule (James) Gronefeld. Born right before the Great Depression began, he was very appreciative of the closely knit family he was raised in. Don stayed close to his siblings and his nieces and nephews.
He joined the Army at the age of 22 even though he had a physical condition that prevented him from serving in combat duty. In 1960, he graduated from the University of Cincinnati after attending night school for his business degree. He was the first in his birth family to graduate from college and instilled the value of education into his children at an early age.
Don was married 32 years to Jean Tenbrunsel (nee Stacey) and is survived by five children: Robert (Sissi), Lisa (Gary) Taylor, John, James (Lori) and Ann (Dante) Domenella. Beloved grandfather to Ryan, Troy, Dante, Travis, Lina and Michel.
Don lived a very full and meaningful life with his children and grandchildren at the center of his life. He was dedicated to his faith in Christ and was an active member of Catholic churches wherever he resided. Don was a lector for St Maurice Catholic Church as he began to raise his family in Livonia, MI. Was always available at the "homestead" and generally was found playing sports with his children in the backyard. Loved sports and was the father who "played basketball" with his children and their friends
Upon retirement, Don moved from Oklahoma to Chicago to experience living in the downtown area of a great American city. After enjoying his alone time, he offered to be "the nanny" for his daughter Ann as she and husband Dante began to start a family in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Don moved in with them and immersed himself in his young grandchildren's lives. Don was very involved in outside activities such as Second Harvest, reading to the blind and his servant devotion to St. Josaphat as Eucharistic minister, council member and hospitality minister serving lunches to the homeless. Don enrolled in a study on aging at Northwestern University, where he was determined to be a "super ager." Don was very healthy and exercised regularly. Taking long walks in the neighborhood was his biggest vice. He traveled the globe in his retirement and was a very worldly man.
In late 2019, Don's health issues caused him to seek an assisted living arrangement in downtown Chicago. After hip surgery and several other complications, Don succumbed to the COV-ID virus.
Because of the fragile nature of the world due to the pandemic, no funeral service will be held. At a later, "safer" date, a Chicago area celebration of Don's life will be communicated to his friends and extended family. We are remembering Don in the same way as he lived – giving to others. In lieu of flowers, Don would have much preferred donations to St Josaphat ( https://www.givecentral.org/location/80/event/8053 ) or the Blind Services Association
( http://blindserviceassociation.org/donate.html#tributes ).