Tena M. Ward

Tena Marie Ward died on November 29, 2018, at the age of 91, in hospice care at Aberdeen Heights Assisted Living. She was born March 25, 1927 in Poteau, OK to Wallace and Mary (Stankewitz) Green. When Tena was age 3, her mother passed away of tuberculosis. At age 5, Tena and her dad hitch hiked to California. When her Dad got a good job working on the Boulder Dam, he couldn't take her with him, but wanted her to have the best of care and education. He was able to get her in a Catholic girls school. Tena told a story that every time they had Mass she had to go the Head Nuns office. Tena always thought she was in trouble, but as time went on she found out that her mom wanted her to be raised Protestant and that was the reason she was excluded. Tena graduated from Webster High School in Tulsa. During WW2 Tena worked as a rosy the riveter at Minter Field in Pasadena. Her nickname was Little Bit which she disliked. However, she was able to work inside the wings because she was so petite. After the war, Tena and her Dad went to work at McDonald Douglass in Tulsa. Eventually she worked at Streets department store and finally at Warren Petroleum. An interesting fact was that Mr. Warren sent Tena to Tulsa University for specialized training, but after the birth of her first son she decided to become a homemaker. Mr. Warren was clearly disappointed as he personally came to Glenn and Tena's home and tried to talk her into coming back to work. She declined and eventually had two more boys. As a family, Tena also attended the University Methodist Church near TU, where good memories were made. Tena enjoyed supporting her sons activities which included scouting and various sports. She was creative and enjoyed many hobbies: painting, cooking, jewelry making, ceramics, knitting, sewing and crocheting. Tena was a loving wife and devoted mother. She was outgoing and enjoyed many meaningful friendships with long time neighbors and friends. She will be missed and her memory cherished. Tena is survived by her three sons, Jim Keith Ward ( wife Sandy, deceased), Locust Grove, OK, Glenn Mitchell Ward (wife, Marsha), Edmond, OK, and Kelly Duncan Ward (wife, Valerie), Arvada, CO. Also surviving Tena are nine grandchildren: Greg Ward, Patti Brunk, Keith Ward II, Jennifer Hubbart, Whitney Guild, Julie Wilson, Ryan Ward, Alanna Ward and Jeremy Ward. In addition, Tena had the joy of being a great grandmother and great-great grandmother. Tena was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband and grandson, Jared Ward. Visitation will be 11:30AM-12:30PM, Monday, December 3, 2018 at Moore's Southlawn, 9350 E. 51st, Tulsa, OK followed by a funeral service at 1:00 P.M. at Moore's Southlawn Chapel. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233

Tena M. Ward

March 25, 1927 - November 29, 2018