Rens, Gerrit L. 1912-2004

RENS, GERRITSEN, BLOEMENDAAL

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/6/2010 at 07:46:37

GERRIT L. RENS
ORANGE CITY. Iowa - Gerrit L. Rens, 91, of Orange City passed away Friday, May 7, 2004, at Heritage House Nursng Home in Orange City.
Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City, with the Rev. Mark Swee officiating. Burial will be in West Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be after 3 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family will be present one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the funeral home.
Gerrit "Gary" was born Dec. 12, 1912, in rural Boyden, Iowa, the son of Lammert and Ida (Gerritsen) Rens.
He was raised in Boyden, where he graduated from high school. He then attended the University of South Dakota at Vermillion, where he received his law degree. Later, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
On June 22, 1936, he married Harriet Bloemendaal in Orange City. They made their home in Orange City, where he was a partner in the law firm of Van Oosterhout, Te Paske and Rens, later becoming Te Paske, Rens and Rensink.
He was a member of the American Reformed Church in Orange City, where he served on the consistory
He also belonged to the American Legion Pressman-Kosters Post and the Lions Club, both in Orange City.
He served as president of the board of directors of the Orange City Public School for 12 years and was active in the Orange City Tulip Festival as a member of the steering committee and participating in musicals.
He was an accomplished magician, giving performances to many service clubs in the area. He also enjoyed fishing.
Grateful for having shared his life are his daughter, Glenda Lea Nichols of’ Sioux Falls, S.D.: three granddaughters and their husbands, Lynn and Mark Swee and their children, Bethany, Brianne and Blake of Sioux Falls. Lori and Mark Kading and their daughters, Kilee and Kelsev of Sioux Falls and Tracie and Judd Long and their son, Trent of Billings, Mont.: and nephews and nieces.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his son, Dr. Kent Douglas Rens: four brothers, Tim, Cornie, Lambert and Bert Rens: and three sisters, Kate Bloemendaal, Jennie Rozeboom and Lizzie Van Corler.
Source: Local newspaper after 5-7-2004