Denis Joseph Tetu

Denis Joseph Tetu was born on July 28, 1944 to Felix and Marie Tetu in Viscount, SK. He peacefully passed away with his loving wife Diana, at his side on May 13, 2026 while in the care of the wonderful staff at Stensrud Lodge.

Denis grew up and went to school in Viscount with his brother Maurice and many cousins, who were like brothers to him. They all played sports together and got into lots of mischief, all in good fun. His love of practical jokes, teasing and having fun made for many great memories. When they were young teens, Denis met Diana at the rink when he was playing hockey, and they were friends ever since.

Denis went to the University of Saskatchewan, earning his Physical Education Degree in 1967 and his Education Degree in 1968. His first teaching job was at Shaunavon High School where, for 10 years, he taught and loved to coach all sports especially the Shadows football team and the Silhouettes basketball team.

On July 4, 1970, Denis and Diana married and a few years later, Renee and Aaron were born. Denis was the principal at Christ the King Elementary School in Shaunavon until 1981, when the family moved to Nipawin and Denis became the Assistant Director of the Nipawin School Division. Denis continued coaching and also became the President of the Nipawin Minor Hockey Association where he was instrumental in adding a second ice surface to the Centennial Arena.

In 1985, Denis accepted the position of Director of Education for the Northern Lakes School Division and the family moved to Spiritwood until he retired in 1998. Retirement was short-lived for Denis. After moving to Saskatoon to be closer to his grandchildren, Denis worked for the Department of Education doing school reviews throughout the province. With his cousins and friends, Denis enjoyed the side business they created called “3 Saws and a Hammer”.

Denis was an advocate for physical activity and sports. He avidly ran 5 days a week from the time he was about 28 until 75 years of age. He played baseball with the Shaunavon Badgers as a catcher and played hockey his whole life.

Despite loving to work, Denis loved his grandchildren more! He was their babysitter, playmate, driver and sideline soccer and hockey coach. Although he couldn’t do ponytails well, he loved to make them laugh, take them for coffee and Timbits and cheer them on at every practice and game.

Denis’s journey with Alzheimer’s was eased by the many people who helped care for him and his family over the last couple years at the Luther Day Program, Keedwell Assisted Living and Stensrud Lodge until he died on May 13, 2026.

Denis is lovingly remembered by his wife of 55 years, Diana; his daughter, Renee; his son and daughter-in-law, Aaron and Jessica and grandchildren Alyssa (Mike), Abriana, Caide, Ethan and Ellia and great granddaughter, Parker; his sister-in-law Sharon, and his nieces and nephews Raymond, Richard, Claude and Johane, Jonathan and Jennifer. He was predeceased by his parents, Felix and Marie; his brother and sister-in-law, Maurice and Cecile, his mother-in-law, Evelyn, brother-in-law, Edward and many of his aunts, uncles and cousins.

For those wishing to honour his memory, donations may be made to Stensrud Lodge or the Alzheimer’s Society of Saskatchewan.