Tena Loyza Harvey

1929 - 2026

Tena L. Harvey, 96 of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at Emmetsburg Care Center in Emmetsburg, Iowa.

Funeral Service will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Le Mars Church of Christ. Burial will be at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Arrangements are with Rexwinkel Funeral Home of Le Mars. Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.

Tena Loyza Harkness was born on June 27, 1929 in Union County, South Dakota to Issac D. and Mary Ellen (Hamilton) Harkness. They lived in Akron, Iowa until Tena was about six years old when they moved to Snohomish, Washington. They moved back to Akron a few years later. Tena graduated from Akron High School and began working at the Akron Hospital.

Tena was united in marriage to Orlando ‘Tobey’ Harvey on June 28, 1948 in Sioux City, Iowa. They moved to Le Mars where Tena worked at Club Café and then Sears Roebuck where she retired after 18 years of service.

Tena was a long-time member of the Le Mars Church of Christ where she was an active and faithful member. She loved her church family and she taught many years of Sunday school and vacation bible school She also loved to sing in the choir.

Tena was a talented artist; she loved to craft and paint. She was an accomplished seamstress; she made both of her daughters’ wedding dresses. She liked to sew, crochet, knit, and quilt. She also made teddy bears and Raggedy Ann dolls.

Tena and Tobey enjoyed traveling and camping together. They visited every state West of the Mississippi River and spent many winters in Apache Junction, Arizona. Tobey passed away on October 24, 2015. After Tobey passed, Tena enjoyed spending time with two very good friends, Julie Leaverton and Norma Martfeld. They enjoyed playing cards and games, going on excursions, and volunteering at the Plymouth County Museum.

Tena’s favorite time was spent with her family. She especially loved the Christmas season and enjoyed hosting family for the holiday.

Tena is survived by two daughters: Lynette Bucknell of Dallas, TX and Peggy (Patrick) Martini of Emmetsburg, IA. She is also survived by six grandchildren and their families: Julie (Sean) Barber and children, Taylor, Tatum, and Teaghan, Mathew (Cheryl) Anderson and children, Matieson, Brodey, Abby, Camryn, and Emmy, Nicholas (Angie) Martini and daughter, Nicole, Emily Martini, Elizabeth (Jon) Ewing and children, Michaela, Dylan, and Lily, and Patrick Jr. (Amy) Martini and children, Sydney and Kennedy; seven great-great grandchildren; sisters: Fannie Talbot of Vinemont, Alabama and Gladys Peterson of Smith Center, Kansas; many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Issac and Mary Ellen Harkness; husband, Tobey; two great grandsons: Issac and Christian; and five brothers: Ralph, Bill, Bob, Everett, and Jim.