Grace Alma (Kvasnicka) Tenopir entered this world on September 5, 1921. She was welcomed by her parents, William and Rose (Kvasnicka) and her older brother, Elmer.
In 1932, the family expanded to include her younger brother, Clarence. Grace was born on a farm west of Wilber, Nebraska. She attended rural school districts 32 and 8 in Saline County. Following that she attended Wilber High School and graduated in 1938 at the age of 16 with a teachers’ certificate. At age 17 she began teaching in a one-room schoolhouse for three years. Little did she know that one of the mischievous boys that she taught would someday become her nephew by marriage.
Grace met Earnest Tenopir at a dance. She would soon discover that Earnest was not only the love of her life but he would soon become her husband. They were married on February 20, 1943, and lived in Omaha for a year and a half while Earnest was stationed at Fort Crook, which is now Offutt Air Base. She worked in a shoe store during their time in Omaha. When Earnest went overseas in 1944, Grace lived with her parents and brothers until December of 1945 when he was discharged from the Army. They lived in Crete, Nebraska for over a year where Grace worked in a grocery store. They moved to a farm near Crete and then to a farm west of Wilber.
In 1953 their only child, Peggy, was born. In 1959, Earnest caught his arm in a corn picker. He was rushed to Lincoln to the Veteran’s Hospital where they did experimental surgery and managed to save his arm. He was hospitalized for approximately a year. During that time, Grace was responsible for keeping up the farm with some help from relatives and neighbors. When Earnest was able to come home, farm life continued. As farmers they understood that often the weather determines your future. They were hailed out. To supplement their income from the farm Earnest worked in Lincoln at the University of Nebraska and Grace worked at FormFit in Crete. And once again, the weather stepped in to change the path of their lives. They were hailed out again. In 1965 they sold the farm and moved to Lincoln where Earnest and Grace worked at the University of Nebraska, Grace in food service. After 21 years, in 1986, she retired to spend time with Earnest and the rest of the family. Their retirement was interrupted when Earnest suffered a stroke following heart surgery. Grace became not only his companion, but his caregiver. When it became too difficult to care for Earnest, he had to be placed in a nursing home. Grace spent every day sitting by his side, until he passed away in 1993. Not long after Grace’s older brother passed away, her younger brother, Clarence, came to live with her. She cared for him as well until he passed away.
Grace enjoyed cooking, gardening, helping on the farm, Bible study, and playing dominoes. She was known for her kindness and willingness to be a good friend and mentor. She will be greatly missed.
Grace left this world on September 8, 2025, with all of us wishing we could have spent more time with her. However, we are confident that as she left this world, she was greeted by Jesus, her Lord and Savior, and the love of her life, Earnest.
Many friends and relatives have gone on before her. Those left to grieve include her daughter, Peggy (Jerry) Hiestand; grandsons Todd (Christy) Hiestand, Jeff (Kathryn) Hiestand, and great grandchildren Lucy, Noah, and Hannah Hiestand, and in addition, many friends, relatives, and others whose lives have been touched by Grace.
Visitation will be held on Thursday September 11th from 4-7 p.m. at the Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel, 4300 O St Lincoln, NE.
Memorial will be held on Friday September 12th at 10:00 a.m. at the Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel, 4300 O St Lincoln, NE.
Reception to follow.