5/28/2020 8:35:00 AM Barb Renken, longtime Stewartville resident, does of natural causes
Barbara J. Renken, 86, a longtime Stewartville resident, died on Monday, May 25, 2020, of natural causes at Cottagewood Senior Community in Rochester, where she had been a resident since March of this year.
Barbara Jean Andrews was born on July 23, 1933 in Herman, to Clarence and Ruth (Trank) Andrews. She grew up in Herman, where she attended school, graduating from Herman High School in 1951. She attended Hamline University in St. Paul, where she earned her RN degree.
Barb was married on Nov. 19, 1955 in Herman, to Olvin "Jiggs" Renken. Following their marriage the couple moved to Rochester, where Barb began her nursing career at Olmsted Community Hospital. The Renkens moved to Stewartville in 1960, where they raised their family and have continued to make their home. Barb was a homemaker and was employed at Rochester Methodist Hospital and as a school nurse with the Stewartville School District for a number of years until her retirement. Barb was a longtime member of Stewartville United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School and sang in the church choir. She enjoyed music and was a past member of the Sweet Adelines choir group in Rochester. Following their retirements, she and Jiggs enjoyed going to their vacation home in Melbourne Beach, Fla. for 23 straight years. Barb enjoyed traveling, including trips to Europe, sewing, shopping, walking, biking and followed the Twins. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.
Barb is survived by her husband of 64 years, Olvin; her son and three daughters, Jim (Laura) of Melbourne Beach, Fla., Vicki Renken (Tomas Hernandez) of Houston, Tex., Jane Renken Terleski of rural Stewartville, and Kari (Peter) Olsson of Indian Harbour Beach, Fla.; 11 grandchildren, Olivia (Sean) Cedotal, Samuel (Sopia) Renken, Randall Renken, Erin Puzel (Adam Larson), Hailey (Ryan) Ring, Kyle (Alyssa) Terleski, Kaitlin (Jon) Dobmeier, Rylan Terleski, Mattias (Dominique) Olsson, Lukas Olsson and Benjamin Olsson; 10 great-grandchildren, Amelia, Aiden, Mackenzie, Steven, Simon, Isabelle, Tilo, Mason, Wyatt, and Gabriel; and her sister, Sybil Klason of Herman.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Shirley Gorte, and brother, Dean Andrews.
Due to public health concerns, there will be no service or visitation at this time. A private family committal service and burial will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Stewartville with Rev. Wane Souhrada officiating. A time of visitation for family and friends will be held later this summer at Stewartville United Methodist Church. The date and time will be announced prior to those services.
The Renken family asks that no flowers be sent at this time.
Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Barb are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com.
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