Renken, Johanna A. 1914-1951

RENKEN, DIRKS, PAGELER

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/12/2013 at 11:14:16

Note: Her mother's maiden name was Pageler.

HOLD LAST RITES FOR AN ESTEEMED AKRON FARM WOMAN

Mrs. Herman Renken Dies August, 11, After A Long Illness

Mrs. Johanna A. Renken was born at Brunsville, Iowa, on August 10, 1914, the daughter of John H. and Mary Dirks. She was baptized in early infancy in Christ Lutheran church, Grant Township, Le Mars, Iowa. She was confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran church, Brunsville. She attended the Brunsville Public school and completed her high school education at Le Mars, graduating from the Le Mars High School.

On December 18, 1934, she was united in marriage with Herman B. Renken in St. Peter’s Lutheran church, Brunsville. The young couple farmed a number of years in the vicinity of Brunsville, and moved to a farm northeast of Akron in the spring of 1939.

The departed was a faithful member of the Lutheran church all her life. She was a member of the Sunday school staff. She was a faithful member of the Trinity Ladies aid, faithful in her attendance and faithful in assuming leadership.She served as president for a number of years and was the treasurer of this organization up to the time of her death.

Mrs. Renken’s health had been failing for sometime, especially since 1948. The past several years were especially trying, but patiently and cheerfully, and with great determination and will power she carried her cross. Everything humanly possible was done to restore her health. From June 26, to July 3 was spent at the Mayo Clinic at Rochester, Minn. She returned encouraged, although she knew she had to be confined to her bed at home.

On July 27, she was admitted as a patient of the Akron Community Hospital. AGain everything known to medical science was made available for her, but all to no avail. She was permitted to observe her 37th birthday on Friday, August 10, with her husband, whose birthday is the sameday. She was called to her reward on Saturday afternoon, august 11, 1951, having reached the age of 37 years and 1 day.

She leaves to mourn her early departureher devoted husband, Herman B. Renken; one son, Wendell Lee; her aged parents, Mr. and Mrs. John H. Dirks, of Akron; one full brother, Walter Dirks, of Akron; five half sisters, Marie Albright, of Akron; Tena Marienau and Anna Frerichs, of Le Mars; Minnie Downing, of Keosauqua, Iowa; and Marie Hunterr, of Woodwar, Oklahoma; six half brothers, Edward, Henry and Fred Dirks, of Akron; Wm. dirks, of Greeley, Colorado; Bernard Dirks, of Washington, D. C., and Johnson Frerichs, of Van Nuys, California; also left to mourn are many relatives, a host of friends, and the fellow members of her church.

Funeral services were conducted in Trinity Lutheran church on Tuesday, August 14, with the Rev. J. A. Pannkuk in charge. The was perhaps one of the largest funerals in the history of the Trinity Lutheran church. Mrs. J. Pannkuk was the organist and mabel Long and Joan Breitbarth sang, “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me,” and “Jesus, Thou Art Mine Forever.” Pallbearers were Elmer Gerdes, Robert Pollock, Walter H. Klemme, albert Witt, Andrew Andresen and Henry Hitzemann. Burial at Riverside cemetery.

Akron Register Tribune, pgs. 1, 6
Thursday, August 23, 1951
Akron, Iowa