Rens,Richard J. Sr. 1906-2003

RENS, ZOET, WASSINK

Posted By: Mary Lou Verburg Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/17/2015 at 16:31:37

Born: October 9, 1906 Near Sioux Center, Iowa
Died: February 12, 2003 Sioux Center, Iowa

Richard J. Rens Sr. 96 of Sioux Center passed away Wed. Feb. 12, 2003 at Sioux Center Community Hospital Nursing Facility.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Sat. at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center, with Revs. Stephen Roda and Duane Tinklenburg officiating. Burial will be prior to the service Sat. in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Oolman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Richard was born Oct. 9, 1906 near Sioux Center, the son of Jan and Harmje (Zoet) Rens. He was raised on his family's farm and graduated from Sioux Center Christian School.

On Feb. 14, 1933, he married Helen Wassink in Sioux Center. Together they farmed for 30 years, until moving into Sioux Center in 1963.
He then began working construction with his son Richard Jr. Helen passed away Oct. 10, 1967, in Sioux City. He continued to work with his son, until retiring at the age of 72. After retiring, he moved to the New Homestead in Sioux Center. In March 1998, he became a resident of the Nursing Facility.

He was baptized in the Bethel Christian Reformed Church, where he remained a professing member virtually all of his life. He looked forward to visiting and reminiscing with friends and family and he was a faithful visitor to many shut-ins. He also enjoyed tending his garden.

Survivors include his daughter and her husband, Hattie and Gerrit Van Der Plaats of Sheldon, IA; two sons and their wives, Richard and Lori Rends, Jr. and William and Joan Rens, all of Sioux Center; 15 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Herminda Bleyenberg of Sioux Center and Jeanette Van Middendorp of Wadena, MN; and two sisters-in-law, Elsie Hubers of Pantego, N.C. and Bertha Hubers of Jenison, MI.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was also receded in death by twin grandsons in infancy; two sisters, Ella Vande Griend and Jennie Vande Griend; and three brothers, Tim, Gerrit and Bert.

Source: Local paper after 2/12/2003