Jan. 30, 1914 - Oct. 30, 2009

Carl Bernard Tenhagen Jr., 95, died Oct. 30, 2009, at home in Chugiak.

Carl was laid to rest at Fort Richardson National Cemetery Nov. 4.

He was born Jan. 30, 1914, to Carl and Barbara Tenhagen, in Kansas City, Kan.

In 1940, Carl joined the U.S. Army, earned his cook and baker diploma, and spent one year as a mess sergeant. He then attended Officer Candidate School, and upon completion was reassigned to the Corps of Engineers. Carl served in Europe during World War II as a combat engineer.

After the war he was attached to the Inter-American Geodetic Survey, mapping the Western Hemisphere, in particular the Amazon Basin. Carl was involved in the design and construction of the Distant Early Warning Missile System in Tule, Greenland.

In 1941, Carl married Ella May Horner. He and Ella May were stationed and served at many other posts around the world during his 28-year military career. In 1967, he retired as a lieutenant colonel.

After retirement, Carl had many careers, including real estate sales and development in Australia, manager of a cattle ranch in Kansas and, with his wife, managing a chain of Best Western Hotels in Kansas.

After moving to Alaska in 1984, Carl drove the special education bus for Buckeye Transit in Wasilla. He and Ella moved to Chugiak in 1996 to be closer to their family.

He traveled the world with his wife, while raising their three children. This year Carl and Ella celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary.

Carl loved watching sports, talking politics, cooking and working on the computer. He was most happy with a house full of people, eating good food, telling stories and laughing.

Carl is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Ella May; son and daughter-in-law, Bernard and Martha Tenhagen of Kansas City, Kan.; daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Dale DeFrees of Chugiak; grandchildren, Shannon DeFrees of Seattle, Glenn DeFrees at Navy Nuclear Power Training Command, Goose Creek, S.C., Sarah Tenhagen, Emily Tenhagen, Brian Tenhagen and Robert Tenhagen, all of Kansas City; and four great-grandchildren.

Carl was preceded in death by his son, Robert Tenhagen.

When dining at a restaurant, Carl would pick up the meal tickets for servicemen and women. We ask that you continue this tradition and think of Carl.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Peters Creek Christian Center, for the benefit of the Children's Home, 20640 Chapel Drive, Chugiak AK 99567; or to Special Olympics.