Tenbrink, Ernestine, L., 72, died Wednesday, April 11, 2012, after being diagnosed with lung cancer in 2011.

She was the second of four children and was born December 28, 1939, to Inez and Ernest Walker in Augusta, Kansas. She was delivered at home by an aunt while her father frantically searched for the town's doctor. She attended Augusta schools, and after a brief working career outside the home, became a full-time stay-at-home mom and eventual caregiver to many of her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father in 1978, and by her only brother Doug, in 2010.

She is survived by Art, her husband of 44 years; mother Inez, of Augusta; sisters Gwen O'Brien of Newton, Kansas, Sheryl (Jim) Shaffer of Mountain Home, Arkansas. Surviving daughters are Elizabeth (Stan) Dagel of Towanda, Kansas, Vanessa (Gerry) Randolph of Bel Aire. Surviving sons are Steve (Dawn) Powell of Dexter, Kansas, Arthur (Shannon) Tenbrink of Derby, Kansas. Surviving grandchildren are Sierra and Amber Whittaker, Allison and Ashlee Randolph, Kayla and Brandon Powell, Abby Tenbrink, Dane and Seth Swearengin, and Luke Perrin. She is also survived by her life-long friend JoAnn Rymel of Wichita. Also surviving is Abby, Ernestine's constant miniature Dachshund companion - her "puppy dog".

The family wishes to acknowledge and thank the dedicated caregivers at Cancer Center of Kansas and LTAC Hospital for their concern and compassion for Ernestine.

Memorial suggestions are to The Lord's Diner, 520 N. Broadway, Wichita, 67214, or Salvation Army, P.O. Box 2606, Wichita 67201. Private services.

Dunsford Funeral Home & Crematory,
201 East Fifth Avenue, Augusta, Kansas, 316 775-6363 www dunsfordfh.com