James J. “Jim” Tenski, 78, died on Monday, May 19, 2025 at his home in Grand Island.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 30, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Leo’s Catholic Church. The Reverend Donald A.

Buhrman and Reverend Mark A. Maresh will concelebrate. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Loup City with a 2:30 p.m. committal service. Military honors will be rendered by the Loup City American Legion Post 48 and the United States Army Honor Team.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Curran Funeral Chapel with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to St. Leo’s Catholic Church, National Kidney Foundation, or the Polish Heritage Center in Ashton. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.

Jim was born May 29, 1946 in Loup City, the son of Joseph C. and Dorothy M. (Schachta) Tenski. He grew up in Loup City, graduating from Loup City High School in 1964. He entered the Army on June 3, 1964 serving until his honorable discharge on May 16, 1967. He continued his education at the University of Nebraska Omaha graduating in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in engineering.

Jim worked for Peter Kiewit Corp. for over twenty-five years. He was instrumental in the construction of Navajo Dam in New Mexico and the Denver International Airport in Colorado.

When he retired, he made his home in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he worked at Sears Trostel and Millwork perfecting his woodworking skill. He later moved to Las Vegas and New Mexico before moving to Grand Island in 2014.

Jim could often be found as a spectator at his granddaughter’s, nieces’, and nephews’ sporting and school activities. He enjoyed attending auctions and taking pictures. He also enjoyed spending time with his brothers on their farms and helping out in any way he could.

On many summer days you could find him in the pastures chopping down cedar trees that would continue to tease him throughout the years. He could even tell you his exact count at the end of each day.

He was a member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church.

Survivors of the immediate family include his daughter, Jennifer (Chris) Calabro of Omaha; granddaughter, Paige (Ryan) Rearick of Omaha; brothers, Jerome “Jerry” (Deb) Tenski of St. Edward, Daniel (Suzanne) Tenski of Spalding, Ronald (Delores) Tenski of Grand Island, and Ted Tenski (Diane Thompson) of Litchfield; sisters, Sharon (Jerry) Starkey of Grand Island and JoAnn Largent of Denton; and sister-in-law, LaNell Bateman of Kremmling, Colorado.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Mary and John Uphoff; brother, Andy Tenski; and brother-in-law, Mike Largent.