Renken, Lester W. 1921-2009

RENKEN, BRABANDER, SOKSEN

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 12/11/2009 at 12:29:24

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, December 11, 2009

Lester W. Renken, 88, of Newman Grove, Neb., died Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009, at Mid-Nebraska Lutheran Home in Newman Grove.

Lester William Renken, the son of Herman C. and Anna M. (Brabander) Renken, was born Sept. 25, 1921 in rural Plymouth County, Le Mars. He attended school in Grant Township. On Feb. 1, 1948, he was united in marriage to Beulah Sonksen at Evangelical and Reform Church in Mapleton.

The couple resided in Newman Grove, Neb. He was a member of the Looking Glass United Methodist Church. Lester farmed and worked in agriculture related fields. He loved family related activities, spending time with his children and grandchildren, visiting with friends and neighbors and relatives and playing cards.

He is survived by his wife Beulah, Newman Grove; four children, Daryl Renken and wife Dianne of Biggsville, Ill., Stanley Renken and wife Patti of Monroe, Neb., Karen Reynolds of Malden, Mass., and Sharon Morava and husband Tim of Crawford, Neb.; 13 grandchildren and six step-grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and 11 step-great-grandchildren; and two sisters-in-law, Esther Renken and Ethel Renken, both of Le Mars.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Louise Beitelspacher, Florence Utech, Viola Tammen, and five brothers, George Renken, Herman (Butch) Renken, Lawrence Renken, Raymond Renken and Marvin Renken.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Looking Glass United Methodist Church at rural Newman Grove. Pastor Kenneth Purscell will officiate.

Memorial services will be held in Iowa at 1 p.m. Tuesday, at Christ Lutheran Church, rural Le Mars. The Rev. Dan Gerrietts will officiate with burial to follow at the Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery, Grant Township, rural Le Mars. Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. until the 1 p.m. service at the church.

Arrangements are with Newman Grove Memorial Funeral Home, Newman Grove, Neb., with local arrangements with Carlsen Funeral Home of Le Mars.