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. They would also like to thank Hospice Alliance and its 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.
