Katherine Rose Tennis

Mrs. Katherine Rose Tennis, 94, of Browns, Illinois passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 17, 2015, at Oakview Heights Continuous Care in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. 

Born October 11, 1920, Katherine was the daughter of the late Leo F. and Matilda Pohl Kneer, Sr., formerly of Evansville, Indiana.  Katherine attended St. Agnes Grade school in Evansville, Indiana, and then joined the Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand, Indiana, where she studied until May of 1941.  Katherine was married to Irvin Walter Tennis in May of 1945.  Irvin and Katherine took up residence in rural Wabash County, where they raised their 11 children on a Holstein dairy and grain farm.  The Tennis’ became members of St. Sebastian Catholic Church where Katherine served as the organist and choir director for over 40 years and served as a Eucharistic Minister for over 25 years.  Katherine received an Apostolic Blessing from Pope John Paul, II, for faithful and long service to the Church.  Katherine was also a member of the Daughters of Isabella, the Confraternity of Christian Mothers and an Oblate of St. Benedict.

During Katherine’s early years she was heavily involved with the Wabash County Home Extension Service, Wabash County Farm Bureau, Bellmont Grade School PTA and was a 4-H leader for 10 years.  Katherine’s generous spirit and love of music also kept her busy volunteering at the Wabash County Senior Citizens Center and area nursing homes for over 30 years.  She led and directed the Wabash County Senior Citizens Kitchen Band during this time, performing at various Tri-county functions and nursing homes.

Katherine’s joys in life, besides raising her family and babysitting her grandchildren, were gardening, cooking, baking sewing and crocheting.  Katherine was also an avid quilter and pieced many quilts that her children and grandchildren will cherish always as a sign of her love for them.  Katherine’s favorite flowers were petunias, simplicity roses and zinnias.  She enjoyed passing the time by playing music, either the organ or piano, and preferably with a group of singers.  Her favorite prayer was the Prayer of St. Francis, which she chose to live by each and every day of her life.

Left to cherish her memories are her children Rose Marie Speicher and her husband William of Haubstadt, Indiana, Louis Michael Tennis and wife Gabriella of Browns, Illinois, Gerald Eugene Tennis and his wife Linda of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, Raymond Joseph Tennis of Browns, Illinois, James Irvin Tennis and his wife Jeanne of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, Mark Allan Tennis and his wife Marsha of Sumner, Illinois, Bernadette Marie Shein and her husband Larry of Sequim, Washington, Annette Sherman and her husband Buck of Claremont, Illinois and Mary Josephine Ritchie and her husband M. David of Concord, North Carolina.  Also surviving are 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Katherine was preceded in death by her husband, Irvin Walter Tennis, her son’s, Leo F. and Paul W. Tennis, and her grandson, John Robert Beauchamp. 

The Rite of Christian Burial will be Monday, September 21, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, celebrated by Father Robert Zwilling.

Katherine’s family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.  Sunday, September 20, 2015, in the Chapel of Short Funeral Home, 527 N. Mulberry Street, Mt. Carmel, Illinois.  Rosary will be at 7:00 p.m.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to St. Sebastian Remodeling Fund.  Envelopes will be provided by Short Funeral Home.

Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com

Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve Katherine’s family.

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