Everett L. Renken

Everett LeRoy Renken born March 13, 1925 to Herman and Anna Lehn Renken at Mt Clare, Nuckolls County, Ne. He was baptized and confirmed at Nora Church, Nora. He started school at the old Nora county school for 1st and 2nd grade, 3rd, 4th and 5th grades at Nora city school. He finished 6th and 7th grades at Hardy school. After the family moved to a farm south of Ruskin, Ne he finished school through twelve grades. He took a job at a car dealership in Hebron until he joined the Navy in June of 1944. He did his service training at Great Lakes gunnery school at Boloxi, Miss. He was assigned to a merchant marine vessel on the navy gun crew. They shipped out of Brooklyn and made two trips across the Atlantic to Cardiff, Wales and Antweerp, Belgium. His ship shuttled between Antwerp and Cardiff, Wales. When his ship returned to Brooklyn, he transferred to a destroyer on the West Coast. At the end of the war, his ship was moved to San Diego to be decommissioned. He was honorably discharged in February of 1946. He returned home in time for his second wedding anniversary. He married Josephine Andres on February 5th, 1944. His first son was born in April of 1946. Gaylord Everett lived only nine weeks. Sandra Jo was born May of 1947 followed by Mike Andres in February of 1950 and Rodney J in August of 1952. After the service he took employment with International Harvester as trainee in parts management in Hebron. He moved to Geneva in the same position in 1950. In 1953 he took employment with Robison Seed Company of Waterloo as district sales manager. His territory was the southern part of Nebraska from the Missouri River to the Colorado line. He enjoyed his job and made lots of good friends. He spent a few years in sales management with Walnut Grove. He Returned to Funks sales and retired from that position. He managed the plumbing company then he operated a fish truck, delivered trailers and traveled. Everett served on the school board, numerous church committees and used his carpentry skills for anyone and everyone with a need. He was Past Master of Masonic lodge of Geneva. Everett was the youngest of six children. He was preceded in death by both parents; infant son Gaylord Everett; brothers Paul, Reo and Floyd; sisters Clara Torring and Lucille Heflin; nephew Erik Torring, Jr; brothers-in-law Erik Torring and Boyd Heflin; sisters-in-law Alice Totten Renken and Josephine Pohlman Renken. He is survived by wife Josephine; children Sandra Jo Hoffman, husband Darrel; Michael Andres Renken, wife Sue; Rodney J Renken, wife Sandra; grandchildren Stacy Hoffman, Katie Hoffman, Sam Renken and wife Maggie, Alicia Renken, Mary Uher and husband Jason, Meghan Wilke and husband Clint and Ryan Renken. Five great grandchildren Jeremiah Renken, Zuri Renken, Adison Renken, Ella Renken, Ryden Renken and Reese Wilke. A Memorial service was conducted from the United Methodist Church in Geneva, Nebraska on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 with Rev. Ron Harris officiating. Judy Ackland played the processional Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring and accompanied Alex Salmon who sang How Great The Art and the congregation who sang Just A Closer Walk With Thee. Honorary bearers were all of Everett’s grandchildren, Roger Trumper, Lyle Olean, Mel Krause, Darrel Hughes, Herman Larsen, and Ivan “Nick” Nicholson. Inurnment was in the Spring Creek Cemetery in Ruskin, Nebraska.

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Everett L. Renken

March 13, 1925 - September 21, 2013