Everyone at Cowsmopolitan wishes to extend our most sincere sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of Iowa Ayrshire Breeder James Tentinger of Remsen, IA, who lost his battle with cancer on Christmas day.
James P. Tentinger, 66, of Remsen, died Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016 at Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars, after a three-year courageous battle with cancer.
Jim was born Dec. 14, 1950 in Le Mars, the son of Roman and Lucille (Henke) Tentinger. Jim was raised and educated in the Remsen area. Immediately following St. Mary’s high school graduation in 1969, Jim joined the Iowa Air National Guard in Sioux City.
On April 8, 1972 Jim married Sharon Pottebaum at Remsen. The couple made their home on the Tentinger Century Farm southwest of Remsen and took over his father’s dairy business which became Ten-Ayr Dairy.
Jim was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Catholic Order of Foresters.
Jim had been on the Ayrshire Breeders Association board since 2008 and was presently serving as the president. Currently he was a board member of the state and corporate Midwest Dairy Association. He is also a board member of the Iowa State Dairy Association, The Cherokee County Rural Water Association, and past board member of the Plymouth County Farm Bureau.
Jim is a member of the Dairy Farmers Association, Western Iowa Dairy Association and the Iowa Cattle Association.
Jim received the Ralph Keeling Award for his contribution to the benefit and progress of Iowa’s dairy industry in 2015.
Jim enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren by experiencing life on the farm, showing cows at the fair and working the land.
Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Sharon; two sons, Travis (Kelly) Tentinger of Remsen and Craig (Ann Marie) Tentinger of Wayne, Nebraska; seven grandchildren, Samantha, Hunter, Torey, Tiara, Araya, Merekye, Bryndilin and another grandchild next April; one brother, Bill (Joanie) Tentinger of Le Mars; four sisters, JoAnn (Joe) Block of Le Mars, Carol (Dave) Carey of Cherokee, Anita (Jiggs) Jorgensen Spencer, and Donna (Tim) Kelley of Remsen; brother-in-law Wayne (Maureen) Pottebaum of Alton; two sisters-in-law, Karen (Gary) Konz of Le Mars and Jean (Ken) Ehrp of Sioux Center; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roman and Lucille; and his in-laws, Bernard and Esther Pottebaum.
Memorial Mass will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen with the Rev. William McCarthy officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Remsen. Visitation with family present will be 4-7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016, with a parish rosary at 5 p.m., immediately followed by a vigil prayer service, all at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Hope Angels in Remsen.
Condolences may be sent online to www.fischfh.com.