Renken, Walter J. 1923-2005

RENKEN, OETKEN, BERKENPAS

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 4/25/2009 at 17:36:52

LE MARS, Iowa -- Walter J. Renken, 82, of Le Mars passed away Saturday, June 25, 2005, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at St. John's Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A., in Le Mars, with the Rev. Gary Landsness officiating. Burial will be in Christ Lutheran Cemetery, Grant Township. Visitation will be after 3 p.m. today, with the family present after 5:30 p.m., followed by a 6:30 p.m. prayer service at Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars.

Walter John Renken was born Jan. 21, 1923, on the family farm in Grant Township to Gareith and Reaka (Oetken) Renken. He was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church by Rev. F.O. Bunge. He attended country school in Grant Township.

Walt was united in marriage to Edith Berkenpas on Sept. 20, 1945, by the Rev. F.O. Bunge at the Christ Lutheran Church parsonage. Walt and Edith farmed in Grant Township until his retirement in 1987. Walt and Edith continued to live on the farm until 2003, when they moved to Le Mars. He was proud of having lived on the farm for 80 years.

Walt loved the lifestyle of a farmer. He enjoyed the fall harvest, especially picking corn. He enjoyed Allis-Chalmers tractors and loved to reminisce about the old days of farming with his friends and neighbors. He was very proud that his farm was designated a "Century Farm" in Iowa.

In his earlier years, he was a past member of Christ Lutheran Church and a long-time member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars. Walt and Edith enjoyed taking trips to visit family. He enjoyed all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Edith of Le Mars; four children and their spouses, Jerry and Shirley Renken of Beresford, S.D., Jimmy and Beverly Renken of Akron, Iowa, Patricia and Brian Majeres of Le Mars and Karen and Todd Schlenger of Le Mars; 12 grandchildren, Danny (Trisha) Renken, Davey Renken, Dicky Renken, Tim (Kim) Renken, Matthew (Lindsey) Renken, Angela Renken, Jacob Renken, Jeremiah Renken, Michael (Janet) Shultz, Justin Shultz, Travis Schlenger and Andrew Schlenger; 11 great-grandchildren, Isabella Renken, Katerina Renken, Nikita Renken, Hunter Shultz, Avery Shultz, Harbor Renken, Hannah Renken, Heidi Renken, Rachel Renken, Mallorie Minor and Donovan Minor; a brother and his wife, Herman and Everdena Renken of Akron; two brothers-in-law, Henry and his wife, Anita Berkenpas and Merlin Singer, all of Le Mars; six sisters-in-law, Hilda Renken of Le Mars, Dorothy and her husband, Paul Hoppe of Le Mars, Jean Van Roekel of Orange City, Frances Leonard of Austin, Texas,

Lillian Berkenpas of Le Mars and Marge Berkenpas of Las Vegas, Nev.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gareith and Reaka (Oetken) Renken; two brothers, Gareith and William Renken; and a sister, Luella Hoppe.

Pallbearers will be grandchildren, Danny Renken, Davey Renken, Michael Shultz, Tim Renken, Matt Renken and Travis Schlenger. Honorary pallbearers will be Dicky Renken, Justin Shultz, Jacob Renken, Jeremiah Renken, Angela Renken and Andrew Schlenger.

~Source: The Sioux City Journal--part of the Darrell E. Obituary Collection