Renken, Willbur W. "Bert" 1933-2005
RENKEN, LUDWIGS, KLAVE
Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 9/5/2008 at 20:55:10
From: Sioux City Journal, October 21, 2005
Wilbur W. "Bert" Renken, 72, of Le Mars passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2005, at Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Craig, Iowa, with the Rev. Daniel Gerrietts officiating. Burial will be in St. John Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be after 3 p.m. today, with the family present after 6 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars. Visitation will resume 9:30 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.
Wilbur W. Renken was born Feb. 15, 1933, on the family farm in Plymouth County, Iowa, the son of John and Sena (Ludwigs) Renken. He was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith. He attended country school in Grant Township and later Central High School in Le Mars, where he graduated in 1951.
He was united in marriage to Jerlois "Jeri" Klave on Dec. 30, 1955, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Craig. Together, they are the parents of four children, Keith, Rick, Steve and Beth. In 1956, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served his country in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1958. After returning, the couple farmed in Grant Township for many years. Later, he worked production for Tyson Foods in Sioux Center, Iowa.
He was a devoted member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he was a former council member and treasurer. He also served as a communion assistant and usher, most recently with the grounds keeping of the church cemetery. He enjoyed refinishing woodwork, playing cards and watching sports of all kinds. But most of all, he loved his family, especially his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his wife of more than 49 years, Jerlois of Le Mars; four children, Keith Renken of Craig, Iowa, Rick Renken of Le Mars, Steve Renken of Ireton, Iowa, and Beth and her husband, Bill Riley of Sioux City; eight grandchildren, Justin Renken, Sarah Renken, Taylor Renken, Maria Renken, Trevor Renken, Kaylee Renken, Daniel Riley and Desmon Riley; two sisters and their husbands, Arlene and Cliff Peters of Le Mars and Verda and Jim Marineau of Brunsville, Iowa; two brothers and their wives, Erwin and Joan Renken of Brunsville, Iowa, and Victor and Lee Renken of Sioux City; a sister-in-law, Kathy Renken of Brunsville, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Donald Renken; and an infant sister, Bernice Renken.
Pallbearers will be Scott Renken, Jon Marineau, Jay Miller, Chad Oltmanns, Ronald Ludwigs and Todd Miller. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren.
Tombstone Photo
Plymouth Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen