Garland Frank Tenberg, Jr., 70, of Gonzales, passed away Thursday, October 19, 2023, in Austin, Texas.
He was born on December 31, 1952, to Garland Frank Tenberg, Sr. and Dorothy Mae Conger Tenberg. He was born and raised here in Gonzales and was known to many as a great person with a big heart.
Garland and Sharon Barta were childhood friends and lived a few miles from each other, they rode the school bus together and eventually, Garland asked Sharon to be his girlfriend. They got married in Gonzales at the Methodist church on July 26, 1975, they shared 48 years of devoted marriage together. He was the love of Sharon’s life, and she was his in return.
He was a hard worker by definition, he held down 3 jobs to support his family, but he never missed his kids or grandkids games. Garland worked as an oil gauger, he also worked for Ferrellgas, and as a rancher. He loved his job, and he loved his animals. He had a habit of making his farm animals into his pets, his recent pet cow Brownie was very dear to him. Garland often came home with stray dogs, he was kind and good natured, and had plenty of love to share. As he retired, he became a full-time “Grandad”, he took joy in caring for all of his grandchildren. When he met his friends for coffee, they called him “Grandaddy Daycare” and he took great pride in that name. Garland was extremely close to his children and grandchildren; it was rewarding for him to raise them and see them grow up. He taught them all to drive a stick shift, and every grandchild learned how to drive a tractor. If the town could talk, it would recognize him as one of the kindest people around, he welcomed all to become his friend and he was seen as a father figure by his children’s friends. He will be sorely missed.
He is survived by his loving wife Sharon, his daughter Stacy Fogle (Jason) and his son Stephen Frank Tenberg (Sheri). He is also survived by his grandchildren Natalie Tenberg, Megan Tenberg, Luke Tenberg, Lauren Tenberg, Emily Fogle, and Joshua Fogle.
He is preceded in death by his parents Garland Frank Sr. and Dorothy Mae and his sister Sue Grauke.
A visitation will take place on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at Seydler – Hill Funeral Home from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. A funeral service will be held on Monday, October 23, 2023, at First Methodist Church at 10:00am officiated by Dr. Matt Pennington. Interment will take place at the I.O.O.F Cemetery of Gonzales. Pallbearers include Don Jaehne, Tyree Schurig, Jason Rogers, George Reese, Matt Tenberg, and David “Cookie” Gast. Honorary Pallbearers include Tim Beeson, Donnie Tenberg and the I.O.O.F of Gonzales.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made out to the First Methodist Church of Gonzales or to the I.O.O.F of Gonzales.
All services are under the care and direction of Seydler – Hill Funeral Home.