Marvin LeRoy Tenhoff

PhD, Col. USAR ret. Age 97 of White Bear Township Educator, Soldier, Musician. Passed away July 20, 2023. Preceded in death by wife, Elaine on July 11, 2023. Dr. Tenhoff was born June 21, 1926 in Ortonville, MN to Kathryn and Floyd Tenhoff. His early years were spent in Heron Lake which he always said was the perfect place to start living. The family settled in Mankato where he attended elementary school, Mankato High School and Mankato Teacher's College. After graduation, he taught school in Waldorf, MN, and eventually became its principal and district superintendent. After ten years, he left Waldorf to attend the University of Minnesota where he received a PhD in 1963. He then joined the Minneapolis Public Schools as the Director of Facilities and Plant Planning. He held this position for 23 years retiring in 1987. At that time, he received the Award of Merit from the City of Minneapolis. He was also president of the Minnesota School Facilities Council for six years. His military service began when he was called to serve in WWII in mid 1944. He was assigned as rifleman to the 99th infantry Division in Europe as a replacement needed as a result of the "Bulge". He was in the first organization to cross the Rhine at Remagen. As the 99th fought its way south, he personally shot the locks off prisoner camps and saw the atrocities of the concentration camp. At the close of the war, he was in Patton's Third Army in Austria where he met up with Russian soldiers. After the war, he became a commissioned officer and was called back into active duty with the 47th Infantry Division in Fort Rucker, Alabama. During the Korean War, upon discharge, he remained in the National Guard or reserves and was a member of Select Reserve Force (SRF) during the Vietnam War. Col. Tenhoff retired from the military in 1987. He has the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Award among his numerous medals. He enjoyed playing saxophone and clarinet. He worked with some of the better dance bands in the area. Following the end of hostilities in Europe, he was immediately assigned to a band and show group which entertained troops in southern Germany. After his discharge in 1946, he returned to attend Mankato State and organized a nine piece dance band that specialized in playing private parties and dinner dances. After twenty three years, he disbanded the group to, as he said, "to go work". Following his retirement in 1987, he joined the Minneapolis Police Band and remained with the band for 35 years. Dr. Tenhoff was a member of St. Odilia Catholic Church in Shoreview. He was an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Knights of Columbus and belonged to the Monsignor Ravoux Fourth Degree Assembly and was a past Grand Knight of the St. Odilia Council 9598. Survived by daughter, Katherine "Kay" Jerentosky; son, Robert "Bobby" (Tara) Tenhoff; grandchildren, Ryan and Kora Jerentosky, Mia and Allie Tenhoff and Winston McGown; sister, Marilyn McCarney; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Memorial Service 11 AM Friday, August 4th (visitation 10-11AM) at Holcomb-Henry-Boom-Purcell Funeral Home, 515 Hwy 96 W., Shoreview. Interment with military honors at Hillside Cemetery.

Tributes

Marvin LeRoy Tenhoff

June 21, 1926 - July 20, 2023

Tributes

Marvin LeRoy Tenhoff

June 21, 1926 - July 20, 2023

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