Marian Tenkhoff

Marian Marie Preusse Tenkhoff, 87, of Tupelo, Mississippi, died Monday, June 16, 2014, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo.

She was born Aug. 18, 1926, in Perryville, Missouri, to Oscar Frederick and Rose Romann Preusse.

Marian graduated from Perryville High School in 1944, and graduated in 1948 from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau with a degree in home economics. While at Southeast she was elected homecoming queen.

She went back to college after having her family to complete teaching certification in art. She was an art teacher at Sikeston, Missouri, High School 25 years. After retirement, she became a tour director for a travel company and spent several years leading groups across the United States and Canada, in addition to her own adventures on ocean cruises and trips to Europe and the Holy Land.

Marian never tired of seeing and learning new things, and appreciated art, books, culture and good food all her life. She enjoyed sharing her travels and love of history with those around her, and embraced the German background of her family.

She married Alton Glaneer Tenkhoff, a pharmacist, Aug. 6, 1949. They lived several years in Cape Girardeau before settling in Sikeston where she lived until 2007 when she moved to Tupelo to be closer to her children.

Marian was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Tupelo, and a former member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Sikeston. After moving to Tupelo, she became active in Shepherd's Center, continuing education courses at ICC, and was a fan of Tupelo High School sports. She continued her involvement in and support of Southeast University her entire life. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother, remaining young for 87 years.

She is survived by a son, John Kirk Tenkhoff (Mari) of Franklin, Tennessee; two daughters, Lynne Tenkhoff Coleman (Kent) of Highland Village, Texas, and Kathryn Tenkhoff Gatlin (Bob) of Tupelo; 10 grandchildren, Robert Gatlin (Emily) of Tupelo, Ben Gatlin (fiancee Rachel Lundeen) of Nashville, Tennessee, Kirk Gatlin of Highland Falls, New York, John Gatlin of Oxford, Mississippi, and Clay Coleman (Heather Sterling) of Raleigh, North Carolina, John Austin Coleman (McKenzie) of New Orleans, Alex Coleman of Highland Village, Grace Tenkhoff of Auburn, Alabama, Paige Tenkhoff of Washington, D.C., and Anne Tenkhoff of Franklin; a sister-in-law, Emmy Swink of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi; a niece, Leigh Potts (Joe) of Metairie, Louisiana; and a nephew, Dewey Swink (Barbara) of Loranger, Louisiana.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Alton Tenkhoff in 1986; and a daughter, Julie Anne Tenkhoff in 2012.

A service will be at a later date in Missouri.

Holland Funeral Directors in Tupelo is in charge of arrangements.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to Sanctuary Hospice House, P.O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803, sanctuaryhospice.org; or Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1305 Lawhon, Tupelo, MS 38804.

Condolences may be sent to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net.