Renken, Esther M. 1920 - 2010

RENKEN, BRUNKEN, LUBBEN

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/12/2010 at 12:30:51

Esther M. Renken

Date of Death
Friday, October 08, 2010

Le Mars, Iowa

Esther M.C. Renken, 90, of Le Mars, Iowa passed away Friday, October 8, 2010 at Plymouth Manor in Le Mars, Iowa.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A. in Le Mars, Iowa. Reverend Greg Gabriel will officiate. Burial will follow in Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars, Iowa. Visitation will be after 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 12, 2010 with the family present after 6:00 p.m., and a Prayer service at 7:00 p.m., all at Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars, Iowa. Visitation will resume from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Wednesday at the church.

Esther M.C. Brunken was born May 19, 1920 on the family farm in Elgin Township, rural Plymouth County, Iowa, the daughter of Herman and Mary (Lubben) Brunken. Esther was raised in Plymouth County and went to country school in Elgin Township.

She was united in marriage to Raymond John Renken on August 20, 1943 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Le Mars, Iowa. Esther and Ray farmed their entire life with the exception of the years Ray was serving his country during WWII. Esther worked various jobs and was a homemaker for her family. Ray passed away April 3, 2006.

Esther was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Le Mars and was active for many years in the W.E.L.C.A and the quilting group. She worked with children in Sunday school, Bible school, and 4-H. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, baking and cooking. In her earlier years, Esther and Ray liked playing cards. Esther loved to care for her grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Survivors include her 4 children: Dennis and his wife Helen Renken of Le Mars, Mary and her husband Larry Miles of Dell Rapids, SD, David and his wife Judy Renken of Le Mars, and Shirley and her husband Bill Ruhland of Le Mars; 10 grandchildren: Deborah Freund and her husband Bryan, Matthew Renken and his wife Marissa, Jennifer Renken, Dennis Jon Schmidt and his wife Stacey, Dean Schmidt and his wife Sabrina, Beth Diehl and her husband Chris, Neil Renken and his wife Ann, Erica Ruhland and her fiancé Dan Rosskamm, Nicole Ruhland, and Zachary Ruhland; 10 great grandchildren, 9 step grandchildren and 20 step great grandchildren; 1 step great great grandson; 3 sisters in law: Ethel Renken and Betty Brunken of Le Mars, and Beulah Renken of Newman Grove, NE; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ray; brothers: Clarence and Norman “Bud” Brunken; and a sister: Marian Schmidt.

Source: Carlsen Funeral Home
Le Mars, Iowa