- Date Of Birth: September 7, 1919
- Date Of Death: January 17, 2021
- State: Michigan
Was born on September 6, 1919 in Detroit, Michigan, to Emil and Anna Sihvonen. Tenho’s parents were first-generation Americans who immigrated from Finland. Tenho’s first language was Finnish, and she was especially proud of her Finnish heritage.
Tenho was a trailblazer for women in the science and engineering fields. After graduating at the top of her class from Northwestern High School in Detroit, she received a scholarship to attend the University of Michigan where she enrolled in its School of Engineering and was its first female graduate to earn a degree in Chemical Engineering.
Following graduation, Tenho married Edward M. Hindert. When he enlisted in the Navy during World War ll, Tenho worked for Shell Chemical and Ethyl Corporation. Following the war and her husband’s graduation from law school, they moved to Kalamazoo. They were married for 30 years and had four children, Patrick, Daniel, Kristina and Thomas.
After raising their children, Tenho returned to academia to earn a Master’s degree in Mathematics from Western Michigan University with a specialty in Computer Science. She subsequently taught Computer Science for 14 years at Western Michigan University.
Although Tenho experienced a successful professional career, her real joy came from her community activities. She was a member of the League of Women Voters of Kalamazoo, the Kalamazoo Arts Council, and the Kalamazoo County Bicentennial Committee. Tenho had a love for life and never stopped pursuing her passions. She was a founding member of the Kalamazoo Figure Skating Club, a member of the Every Friday Club, and developed a passion for competitive ballroom dancing.
On November 11, 1972, she married Alfred B. Connable of Kalamazoo, and they shared 27 wonderful years together filled with world travels and a shared happiness with family and friends. Al preceded Tenho in death on November 16, 1999. Tenho loved and was loved by her children and grandchildren and prioritized her schedule to spend time with each of them.
Tenho passed away peacefully at hospice on Sunday, January 17, 2021 of age-related causes, just days after her last ballroom dance session where, at age 101, she was still enjoying and shining up her West Coast Swing, Bolero and Waltz.
Tenho is survived by her son Patrick J. Hindert and his wife Louise of Loveland, Ohio, and their sons Johann and Conrad; son Daniel W. Hindert and his wife Stefani of North Salt Lake, Utah, and Dan’s son Eliel and daughter Elisabeth Tenho; daughter Kristina F. Hindert, MD and her partner Buzz Burrell of Boulder, Colorado, and Kristina’s children Lincoln, Jessica and Kyle; and son Thomas (Tim) Hindert and his wife Clare of Sun Lakes, Arizona, Tim’s children Nicole, Michael and Bryan, and their mother Tania Barreto. Tenho was especially proud to have three great-grandchildren, Aiden McCoy and Holden and Harlow Hindert.
Tenho was preceded in death by her two brothers Kauno Sihvonen and Taatto Sihvonen and by her son-in-law Associate Chief Justice (ret.) of the Utah Supreme Court, Ronald E. Nehring. Any charitable gifts in Tenho’s memory may be made to Friendship Village of Kalamazoo.
