Tena Gortsema

Tena Gortsema died peacefully in her sleep June 9, 2010 at Avalon Nursing Home after a long battle with diabetes. She was 87. Tena was born and raised in Grangeville, ID where she loved and married Cornelius (Neal) Gortsema on April 14, 1942. In 1966, Neal and Tena moved to Spokane where they lived on the north side. They joined Holy Cross Lutheran Church in 1966 and were very active into their old age. Tena is preceded in death by her parents, Tony and Hilda Rylaarsdam, three brothers, two sisters and her husband of nearly 60 years, Neal. Tena is survived by four children and their spouses: Kathy Rider, Homer, AK, Louise (Scott) Casey, Otis Orchards, WA, Richard (Nadine) Gortsema, Spokane, WA and Linda (Ralph) Bucheit, Spokane Valley, WA; ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Services will be held at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 7307 N. Nevada St., Spokane, WA on Monday, June 14, 2010 at 1:00 PM. Memorial donations can be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church Building Fund. Burial will be at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery.