TANNIS, Peter "Pete" M., age 73

Died: Friday, May 27th, 2016

Memorial Service: 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 3, 2016 at the Funeral Home with Father Derek Sakowski officiating

Visitation: family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until time of service

Entombment: Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, Wisconsin

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Wagner's Wheels appreciated

Peter "Pete" Michael Tannis, age 73, of Eau Claire, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 27, 2016 at Mayo Clinic Health System-Eau Claire.

Pete was born on September 1, 1942 to Herman and Jeanne (Olsen) Tannis in Waukesha, WI. He graduated from Pewaukee High School in 1961 and enlisted in the Air Force. After basic training, he was stationed at Lincoln Air Force Base in Nebraska. It was there that he would meet and fall in love with Jane Williams, and they were married eight months later. They eventually moved to Wisconsin, and to Eau Claire specifically in 1972, where they remained and raised their daughters. 

He was an avid and lifelong Packers fan and was proud to tell everyone that one of his grandfathers played for the team in their early days. He also lamented that Kerrin's family are Vikings fans, but it made for some fun sparring and rivalries over the years.  Later in life, he joined Wagner's Wheels Bowling League and enjoyed the camaraderie for five seasons.

Pete was a member of American Legion Post #310 of Gibbon, NE, VFW Post #7232 of Eau Claire, the DAV and the Knights of Columbus Council No. 1257 of Eau Claire.

He was the beloved husband of Jane; loving father of Christine (Steven) Brunner of Oro Valley, AZ and Kerrin (William) Teigen of Eau Claire; proud Papa of Michael Teigen and Kaitlyn Teigen; cherished son of Jeanne Tannis of Pewaukee; dear brother of Ted (Pat) Tannis of Waukesha, Anne-Marie (Jose) Salinas of Waukesha, and Kathleen Theumling of Pewaukee; and brother-in-law of Joan Williams of Kearney, NE and Richard (LaNell) Williams of Colorado Springs, CO; also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

Pete was preceded in death by his father, Herman; sister, Nancy; parents-in-law, Raymond and Leone Williams; siblings-in-law, Louis Theumling, Donna Rae (Erwin) Lasich, Robert (Marilyn) Williams, Rex (Shirley) Williams and Wanda Williams.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Oakwood Villa and Mayo Clinic Health System- Eau Claire staff for their good care of Peter. We would especially like to thank his nurses in the hospital: Natia, Rachel, Brittney, and Casey; the respiratory care department at MCHS- Eau Claire: Dr. James Deming, Dr. Anand Subramanian, and Dr. Kittah; Chaplain Craig Sauk; and Fr. Derek Sakowski from St Mary's Catholic Church.