Leonard “Allen” Tennison , 81 of Niagara, ND passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Edgewood Vista in Grand Forks, ND after a winter stay battling cancer.
Allen was born on January 31, 1943, to Leonard and Marion (Crawford) Tennison in Grand Forks, ND. He received holy baptism and was confirmed in his Christian faith.
Allen graduated from Petersburg, ND high school, in 1961. He was united in marriage on January 24, 1964, to Carol Bang and lived near Niagara, ND where they farmed throughout their lives.
Allen would tell people that he never had a job, and that he just did what he loved, which was farming. Since a very young boy, Allen took the reins, as he planted, harvested, hayed, and tended to livestock. He worked hard at all things, and didn’t miss very many early mornings up at the local garage, drinking coffee and chatting with local farmers and business owners. His hobbies included the tractor. He refurbished and took pride in the “red” tractors but used the “green” tractors to farm day to day. Many of his friends and family would tease him that he was never going to get that old tractor running. Not only did he get it to run, but it also looked like new. Allen loved going to tractor pulls, and loved to have the grandchildren drive his tractors in the competition too. He collected toy tractors and took annual trips to Dyersville, Iowa for their toy show with his buddies.
Allen and Carol loved to travel and saw most of the United States by driving and sight seeing in the winter months, he loved the beach. When Carol became ill, he took up cooking, baking, and not so fun household duties. He made the best banana bread and pies.
Allen is survived by his daughter, Patty (Duane) Maatz, his son, Terry (Julie) Tennison. Grandchildren Austin (Brooke) Maatz, Landon (Amanda) Maatz, Jessica Tennison and Cole Tennison. Great granddaughters Mazie and Mackenzie Maatz and adding a new great grandbaby Maatz due this month. Brother James (Diane) Tennison and their children, Dean (Bekah) Tennison and Lisa (Steve) Ocel. Nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Preceding his death were his parents and his wife Carol, of 55 years, and niece Carrie (Dean) Tennison
Visitation will be from 9:30 – 10:30 am followed by the Funeral service at 10:30 am Saturday, April 6, 2024 at the Petersburg Lutheran Church, in Petersburg, ND. Lunch will be served by the parish after the service. Interment will be at the Niagara Cemetery, Niagara, ND.
BAKKE FUNERAL HOME, LARIMORE, ND