Arie Lee Tensen

Arie passed away at the Cura Rehab Center in Willmar, MN on Wednesday, July 30, at the age of 89 from COPD with complications of pneumonia.  A funeral service will at 11 AM on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at Raymond Christian Reformed Church in Raymond, MN.  Visitation will be held the evening before from 4:30-7 PM at the church and also one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Raymond with military honors provided by Raymond American Legion Post #420.  Arrangements are with the Tri-County Funeral Home in Prinsburg, MN.  www.tricountyfuneral.com          

Arie Lee Tensen was born March 6,1936, to Peter and Anna (Vander Beek) Tensen in Hospers, Iowa. The family moved to the Belgrade area where Arie attended country school and Belgrade Public School, graduating in 1954. He entered the U. S. Army on July 10, 1955, in the 3rd Armored Division in Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Germany. He was honorably discharged April 10, 1957. Arie married Kathleen Van Eps, the love of his life, on May 25, 1956, in Hancock Minnesota. They farmed in the Belgrade and Hancock areas before moving to Dassel with their family. He was a salesman, and in 1961, they moved to Raymond, and he was employed at Prinsburg Hardware. In 1963, he established his own business in Raymond selling and servicing televisions and appliances and later added snowmobiles. In 1974, after a fire destroyed the business, he and Kathy started Tensen Marine Sales and Service, which they operated for 40 years before selling it to their sons. He remained in the business for several years.

Arie was a life-long member of the Christian Reformed Church, where he was baptized and made profession of his faith. He and Kathy traveled throughout the U.S. (including Alaska) and to Canada and Mexico in their motorhome. They also spent time in Hawaii and Europe. The granddaughters were included in trips to Branson, MO; and many fishing trips were taken up north with their sons and grandsons.  He also spent time hunting with his sons and grandsons; he enjoyed snowmobiling, gardening and spending time with family at home and at the lake. Arie also loved tackling projects in his excavator and skid loader. He was the fix-it man for his kids & grandkids. For the last few years, he also created birdhouses in his woodshop.

He served as the Raymond Chief of Police for 17 years, a Raymond firefighter for 27½ years, and was a member of American Legion Post 420; he was a Raymond Public School bus driver for several years, a Sunday School Superintendent, and participated in a bowling league.

He is survived by his wife Kathy of 69 years, and his children Gene (Edith) Tensen of Sunburg, Linda (Steve) Ruschen of Clara City, Kayla (Wayne) Fragodt, Ardell (Jodi) Tensen, and Wayne (Kim) Tensen all of Raymond; he is also survived by 17 grandchildren and spouses, and 40 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way. Arie is also survived by one sister Kathleen Schoep of Mitchell, SD, and sister-in-law Doris Tensen of Brooten.

Arie was preceded in death by his daughter Debra Damhof in 1999; his parents; his brothers Ira, Andrew & Gerard; three sisters Trina Smit, Johanna Sankey, & Thelma Tensen.

Blessed be his memory. May he rest in peace.

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