Russell Eugene Teneyck

Russell Eugene TenEyck was born September 6, 1946, the son of William TenEyck Jr. and Elizabeth “Arlene” TenEyck. He passed away December 28, 2014, at his home in Dow City, after a long battle with cancer, at the age of sixty-eight.
Russell was born in Denison, Iowa, the eldest of 10 children. Having 9 brothers and sisters; Bob, Denny, Jim, Terry, Randy, Arlinda, Joyce, Barb and Pat, he attended several city and rural schools in Dow City, Dunlap and the surrounding areas. On October 18, 1965, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he spent 23 months aboard the USS Springfield (CLG-7), a guided-missile cruiser, in the Mediterranean Sea. In February 1968 he returned to the states and was sent to fight in the Vietnam War. Russell was assigned to the most decorated battleship in US Navy’s history, the USS New Jersey (BB-62). After getting out of the service in 1969 he spent 2 years in California where he attended Los Angeles Trade-Technical College receiving his A.S. degree. He returned to Iowa in 1971.
Russell married Phyllis Eileen in 1976, in Denison, Iowa, and were happily married for nearly 20 years. Together they were blessed with one daughter, Shelly. He was also an honorary father to Phyllis’s 3 children, Cindy, Denise, and Byron.
Russell enjoyed working on his old car and model semis, deer watching, playing cards and socializing with his friends. He loved listening to old style country music, Fort Dodge AM radio, and was an avid Oklahoma Sooners and Nascar fan. Most of all he treasured the time he spent spoiling his grandkids.
Russell was preceded in death by his beloved wife Phyllis Eileen, his parents William Jr. and Elizabeth “Arlene”, and his nephew David. His spirit is carried on by his daughter Shelly and her husband Jeremy, and his honorary children Cindy, Denise and her husband James, Byron and his wife Patty, his 9 siblings, 10 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.