Renken, Wilhelmina "Minnie" (1918-2007)

RENKEN, HARTMANN, LUDWIGS, SCHLEIS, BECKER, FREKING, BORCHERS, SCHULZ, HENNIGS, BEITELSPACHER, UTECH, DYKHUIZEN

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/12/2008 at 20:50:17

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, September 17, 2007

Wilhelmina "Minnie" Renken, 89, of Le Mars, died Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007, at Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars.

Wilhelmina Renken was born July 4, 1918, on the family farm in Plymouth County, the daughter of Otto D. and Tena (Hartmann) Ludwigs. She attended country school in Grant Township near her home.

On Jan. 22, 1935, Minnie and Lawrence Renken were united in marriage at Christ Lutheran Church (Grant Township) rural Le Mars. The couple made their home on a farm. They moved to Struble in 1960 and later to Le Mars in 1976. After her children were raised, Minnie drove a school bus for the Le Mars Community Schools. She drove for more than 25 years.

Minnie was a member of Christ Lutheran Church. She also enjoyed watching Rev. Robert Schuller on television. Minnie was an avid Chicago Cubs baseball fan and liked to play cards, crochet, needlework and make personalized calendars.

She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Berniece Schleis of Struble, Leona Becker and her husband Robert of Le Mars, Carol Freking and her husband Don of Topeka, Kan., Lorraine Borchers and her husband Lloyd of Craig, Betty Schulz and her husband Le Roy of Le Mars,Fred Renken and his wife Joyce of Canton, Kan., and Richard Renken of Le Mars; 17 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Annie Hennigs of Le Mars; sisters-in-law Louise Beitelspacher, Florence Utech, Esther Renken and Ethel Renken all of Le Mars; a brother-in-law Lester Renken and his wife Beulah of Newman Grove, Neb.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Lawrence on Sept, 1, 1996; two grandchildren, Brian Schleis and Victor Dykhuizen; a brother, Alfert Ludwigs; and a son-in-law Walter Schleis.

Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. today (Monday) at Christ Lutheran Church (Grant Township) rural Le Mars, with the Rev. Dan Gerrietts officiating. Burial was at the church cemetery. Visitation began at 12 p.m. Sunday at the Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home of Le Mars. The family was present from 5 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. There was also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the funeral.

Memorials may be directed to Christ Lutheran Church and Hospice of Siouxland.