RODE, Tena
August 19, 1913 - January 23, 2011
The death of Mrs. Tena (nee Klassen) (Loewen) Rode of Quill Plains Centennial Lodge, Watson, (and formerly of the Rush Lake/Swift Current district) occurred at her residence on Sunday, January 23, 2011. She was 97 years of age. Tena was born on August 19, 1913, to John and Sarah (nee Loewen) Klassen at home on their farm in the Herbert, SK, district. She grew up there and attained her Grade 8 education at Rockside Rural School. At the tender age of 15, Tena moved to Saskatoon where she was employed as a housekeeper and cook. In 1943, she married John Loewen. They resided in Woodrow, SK, where two daughters, Lorraine and Ruth, were born to them; however, Ruth died in infancy. Deep sorrow touched Tena soon again with the premature death of her husband in 1946. Shortly after, with the help of her brother, Tena, now a young widow with a very young child, moved to Herbert. On November 11, 1951, she married Theodore "Ted" Rode, who had a son and daughter, Ken and Darlene, from his previous marriage. They all resided on the Rode farm near Rush Lake. A year later, Tena and Ted were blessed with a daughter, Janice. Tena and Ted retired from farming in 1975 and moved to Swift Current. Ted died in 2002, and the following year Tena relocated to Saskatoon, where she resided until 2009. At that time, she became a resident of Quill Plains Centennial Lodge. Gardening had always been one of Tena's favourite activities. She planted and harvested a large vegetable garden with enough produce to sell as a way of providing some extra income, and she derived much pleasure in tending to her flower beds and seeing the beautiful array of color. Tena's great culinary skills were well-known by family and friends alike. Hosting family gatherings was somewhat of a tradition, especially on Sunday afternoons, and she was famous for her homemade buns, canned chicken suppers, and cinnamon buns. Although Tena was most content staying close to home, she did enjoy travelling to visit her family. Also of utmost importance to her was her faith; she was devoted to attending Sunday morning church services and strongly believed in the power of prayer. Tena will be lovingly remembered by four children and 11 grandchildren: Janice (Murray) Stevens of Humboldt and family, Cailin (Curtis) Hergott, and Nicole Stevens; Lorraine (Arnie) Wentland of Kelowna, BC, and family, Carmen Wentland (Andreas Neugebauer), Renee Wentland (Jamie Gripich), Jeremy (Danielle) Wentland, and Jocelyn Wentland; Darlene (Erny) Loewen of Kelowna, BC, and family, Jamie (Sandra) Loewen, and Jason (Terri) Loewen; and Ken (Bernice) Rode of Swift Current and family, Lyle (Leslie) Rode, Blake (Michelle) Rode, and Orchid Rode; 17 great-grandchildren; one brother, John Klassen of Strathmore, AB; one sister, Anne Wiebe of Vancouver, BC; and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her first husband, John Loewen; second husband, Theodore Rode; one daughter, Ruth Loewen (in infancy); parents, John and Sarah (nee Loewen) Klassen; and by one sister and three brothers. The Funeral Service for Tena was held at Westminster United Church, Humboldt, on Wednesday, January 26, 2011, at 2:00 p.m., officiated by Rev. Brenda Curtis. Others taking part were: Cailin Hergott and Nicole Stevens, scripture readers; Jan Stevens and Carmen Wentland, eulogists; and Joan Jackson, organist. Pallbearers were Nicole Stevens, Cailin and Curtis Hergott, Carmen, Renee, and Jocelyn Wentland. Interment took place at Herbert Cemetery, Herbert, SK, on Thursday, January 27, 2011. Memorial donations may be directed to the Quill Plains Centennial Lodge "Heritage Park Garden". "We, the family of Tena Rode, wish to thank the staff of Quill Plains Centennial Lodge for the professional and tender-loving care they provided." SCHULER-LEFEBVRE, Humboldt, SK. (306-682-4114)