Service Details
Visitation will be held at the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Saturday, January 31st, at 9:00 a.m. Followed by a service at 10:30 am. Private entombment will take place in All Saints Cemetery.
Memorial Suggestions
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Wisconsin Humane Society-Kenosha Campus.
Ernest J. Tenuta, 102, of Kenosha, WI passed away on Monday, January 26, 2026 at Hospice Alliance in Pleasant Prairie, WI.
Born in Kenosha on September 8th, 1923, he was the son of the late Peter and Filomena (Sessa) Tenuta. A lifelong resident of Kenosha, he was educated in local schools. He was Valedictorian of Kenosha High in 1942. He continued his education and graduated from UW-Madison and served in the US Army Air Corps during WWII.
After college, he worked for Johns-Manville selling roofing products. After retirement, he continued to work for Milwaukee Insulation and Globe roofing. On November 3, 1944, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, he was united in marriage to Joyce L. Tenuta (Sonquist). Ernie was a member of Mount Carmel Catholic Church. He enjoyed playing golf at The Kenosha Country Club, becoming an excellent golfer. Ernie and Joyce enjoyed traveling whenever they could, traveling to many places including Italy, France, and England. They spent many winters in California with their daughter, Kathy and her family as well as Florida with friends.
Surviving are his son, Jeff Tenuta, Kenosha; son-in-law, Bill Rasmus MD, of Santa Monica, CA; grandchildren, Jackie Tenuta and her fiancé Andrew Schiffleger, Christopher and Cody (Susie Harris) Rasmus; his nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce L. Tenuta; his daughter, Kathleen T. Rasmus MD; son James E. Tenuta; daughter-in-law, Karen Tenuta; brothers, Jack Tenuta, Frank Tenuta, and Emil Tenuta; sister, Carmella Rende; brother-in-law, Gene Rende and sisters-in-law, Jean Tenuta and Julia Tenuta; brother-in-law, and wife Gerald and Frances Sonquist.
The Tenutas would like to thank Julie LaMacchia and her wonderful staff at Caring Solutions, especially Michelle Mazur for their wonderful care throughout the last several years. Also, they would like to thank Hospice Alliance and their staff for their excellent care during Ernie’s final days.
Visitation will be held at the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Saturday, January 31st, at 9:00 a.m. Followed by a service at 10:30 am. Private entombment will take place in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Wisconsin Humane Society-Kenosha Campus.
Joyce Sorensen says
Those we love don’t go away, they walk besides us, unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear. I am thinking of you all at this difficult time and wishing you comfort and peace. Extending my sincere sympathy. I will hold on to all the good memories of “Ernie ” with a smile. I always enjoyed his short visits when he and Michelle would stop at Ruffolo’s for his and Emil’s raviolis. I surely will miss his gentle demeanor as his sweet smile.
Tom Beaton says
Ernie will be remembered with gratitude,admiration and deep affection as a mentor,a dear friend and a remarkable man whose influence will endure.He was the example of success,not measured by titles or size,but by character,consistency and kindness.Ernie spent five decades in the roofing industry,building a successful career in sales not through flash and shortcuts, but through honesty, trust and genuine relationships. Ernie leaves behind a legacy that cannot be measured in years or accomplishments alone,but in the countless lives he touched. He didn’t chase legacy,yet he left one everywhere he stood. One hundred and two years,not just lived,but given, and those who knew him stand a little straighter still,because once,we walked beside a man who showed us how.
Gary Langendorf says
Gary Langendorf
Mr. and Mrs. Tenuta were always very classy and gracious to all of Jim’s friends. He was the very last of my high school friends’ parents. They will be missed and remembered by many.