Tena Kleinjan

Tena was born October, twenty-first 1926 to Pelina and Maas Vande Kieft.
She was the second youngest of ten children. Although her family was
very poor, she had a happy childhood growing up on a farm with her
bothers and sisters. That childhood ended abruptly at thirteen when her
Mother died. She assumed the role and responsibilities of the lady of the
household; cooking, cleaning, laundry, raising her younger brother Bud
and caring for her sister Pauline who had polio.

She met the love of her life, Shirl Kleinjan, at eighteen. They were married
on March 22nd, 1948, when Shirl returned from WWII. Soon after,
Shirl’s father, Nicholas, came to live with them because of health issues.
Tena took care of her father-in-law in addition to her two young
daughters. In 1956 the Shirl, Tena, Nick and the two girls moved to their
new home that Shirl had completely remodeled. This was home for
Tena for over sixty-one years until she went to live with her daughter
Ruth in Burlington Wisconsin to recover from illness.

Her last two years there seemed to be one recovery after another but
they were also happy as she had her family by her side. Tena passed
away Monday, May 14th after less than a day in hospice. She will be
dearly missed by her children, grand children, great grand children and
family: Daughter June and son-in-law Arlan Zeinstra, Daughter Ruth
and son-in-law Jim Webster. Grand Children: Kerry Danielson, Ian &
Sabina Webster, Holland & Dr. Mathew Houdek, Nick & Bryana
Webster, Evan Webster, Khiyl Schneider, Kim Wastweet, Kristi Brooks,
Kerry & Tim Schneider. Great Grand Children: Natalie Danielson, Alana
Webster, April Rose White. Sister Eva Regeon. Nieces and nephews.
Honorary daughters Elaine Vande Kieft, Peg Lange. Jody Carstensen
and LuAnn Franns.

Tena was preceeded in death by husband Shirl, her parents and
brothers: John, Bill, Gerrit, Morris and Bud. Sisters: Wilhelmina Brower,
Marie Riemer and Pauline Vande Keift.