You make known to me the path of life; In your presence is fullness of joy; At your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)
Tenille Elane Ausdahl, 27, of Upper Kalskag, Alaska, went home to be with the Lord suddenly on June 9, 2017 as a result of a one-vehicle accident.
Tenille was born on November 15, 1989 in Anchorage, Alaska to Mark and Martha Ausdahl. She spent the first few years of her life in Aniak and Houston, Alaska. She attended kindergarten in Anchorage while her dad completed bible school there. Her elementary years were spent in Kalskag. Tenille attended High School in Kalskag, Mt. Edgecumbe and Heritage Christian School in Anchorage from which she received her High School Diploma.
Tenille spent most of her life on the Kuskokwim River and will long be remembered for her generosity towards friends and family, her love for the outdoors and a daring sense of adventure. Children of all ages were drawn to Tenille and she started babysitting at a young age. She had a way of making every activity exciting and could often be found feeding and entertaining kids in her home, hosting bonfires and swimming on the beach, fishing off the raft, or hosting sleepovers for her little cousins.
Tenille shared a love of the outdoors with her dad who fondly recalls countless outings by boat, snow machine and four-wheeler throughout the area. She especially loved camping, berry picking, hiking, hunting, fishing, rock collecting, and driving on the ice road in winter. Tenille also loved to travel outside the village and visited many places throughout the U.S. and internationally. She visited family in Minnesota, Arizona, Massachusetts, and Hawaii, participated in Youth With A Mission (YWAM) training in Chico, CA, and travelled to Fiji for the YWAM outreach ministry. Family road trips within Alaska were another highlight for Tenille.
Tenille gave back to her community in numerous ways. She enjoyed office work and held positions at both the City of Kalskag and Traditional Council offices. She also worked with SYETP and the Elders’ Program, was a campfire volunteer, cannery worker, substitute teacher at the local elementary schools, and helped her dad with summer maintenance projects.
Tenille gave her heart to Jesus as a young girl and renewed her faith in the Lord in recent years. Her big heart for others was evident at a young age when she and a friend managed to raise the $4,000+ in funds to drill a water well in Africa through Life Outreach International. Tenille also felt deeply for the homeless population in Anchorage and shared food and money with them whenever she had the opportunity.
Tenille’s ultimate joy was recently becoming a mother. She gave birth to her son, Theodore James, on February 9, 2016. Motherhood added a whole new dimension of passion and meaning to Tenille’s life. She followed every detail of Theodore’s growth, taking great pleasure in each milestone of his development. She looked forward to their life together and was full of hopes and dreams for the future. Tenille was excelling in online classes and nearing completion of a business degree. She was also looking forward to a move to Fairbanks with Theodore for a new start in life.
Tenille is preceded in death by her paternal and maternal grandparents, Martin and Audrey Ausdahl of Upper Kalskag, AK and John and Mary Edison of Aniak, AK; uncle Charles Edison of Aniak, AK; aunt Ellen Kong of New York; and cousin Teddy Ausdahl of Kalskag, AK.
She is survived by her son Theodore James Ausdahl of Kalskag, AK; father Mark Ausdahl of Kalskag, AK; mother Martha Edison of Anchorage, AK; foster grandparents Jerry and Betty Simeon of Aniak, AK; uncle David (Sharon) Ausdahl of Houston, AK; uncle Daniel (Dora) Ausdahl of Kalskag, AK; aunt Elizabeth (Larry) Stinson of Anchorage, AK; aunt Mary Ausdahl of Ellensburg, WA; aunt Rachel (John) Stinson of Anchorage, AK; aunt Rebecca (Rene’) Contreras of Anchorage, AK; uncle James (Julia) Edison of Marshall, AK; uncle John Edison Jr. of Wasilla, AK; dozens of first, second and third cousins; and many other extended family members who were dear to her heart but too numerous to name here.
Tenille will be greatly missed and always remembered. While she is now in the Lord’s arms, her son Theodore remains with us as a lasting reminder of her life and love. We love you Tenille and look forward to the day we are together with you again in Glory.
I did not know Tenille, bt was saddened at your loss of one so young Si sad her baby will not get to have her raise him, but I’m sure he will be sure to know her s he grows. When I lost my mom, I took comfort knowing the Bible record of resurrection. There were nine mentioned there, and in every case, they were brought back to life here on earth, rejoining their loved ones. Under God’s Kingdom arrangement, Revelation 21:4 says there we won’t have death, mourning, outcry and pain anymore. To find out more about these blessed times, please go online to JW.org. Meanwhile, may memories of Tenille bring a smile to your hearts in time. Sincerely, Judy S.