Funeral services for Joseph E. Tennis, age 84, of Albert Lea, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 20, at the Church of St. Theodore. The Rev. Richard Loomis will officiate. Interment will be in St. Theodore’s Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by area servicemen’s organizations. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., today, May 19, at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home. There will be a prayer service at 7 p.m. The visitation will also be one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Joe died on Saturday, May 17, 2003, at his home.

Joseph Edward Tennis was born in March 4, 1919, in Easton, the son of George and Anna (Schmidt) Tennis. He attended school in Easton. Joe served in the U. S. Army from 1940-1945. On July 31, 1951, Joe was united in marriage to Gladys A. Budach in Albert Lea. Joe and Gladys have lived in Albert Lea for the last 51 years. He was a member of the Church of St. Theodore, the VFW, the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus.

Survivors include his wife, Gladys of Albert Lea; son, Mark and his fianc Reekay and her daughter, Sheena, all of Clarks Grove; son, Greg and his friend Laura, of Austin; daughter-in-law, Nancy Tennis of Cross, S.C.; grandchildren: Cory Tennis and Michelle Tennis Cooks, both of Anchorage, Alaska, Chad Squires of Albert Lea and Joe Tennis of Albert Lea; three great-grandchildren; sisters: Rosa and her husband Nick Novak of Albert Lea, and Loretta and her husband Wilbert Gaines of Wells; and many nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Michael Tennis; his brother, Bernard Tennis; and a sister, Regina Dylla.

Joe, may our son, Michael, greet you at heaven’s gate. May all God’s angels welcome you with song, and may the Lord welcome you home with eternal love.