Freddie O. Renken

Memorial Services for Freddie O. Renken will be conducted from the Hope Lutheran Church in rural Gosper County, Nebraska on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Cathi Braasch, officiating. Family Burial Services will be in the Hope Lutheran Cemetery prior to the Memorial Service.

Freddie Otto Renken, 90 years of age, of Bertrand, Nebraska, passed away on Friday, May 18, 2007 at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege.

Freddie was born November 8, 1916 on the family farm in Gosper County, Nebraska, the youngest of five children of Henry and Elizabeth (Stehl) Renken. On November 25, 1916 he was baptized and later confirmed on July 10, 1932 at the Hope Lutheran Church. He received his education at District #64 in Gosper County north of family farm.

Following his education, Freddie began his lifelong love of the labor of the land and engaged in farming with his family near Bertrand. He also helped build the dam across Johnson Lake and the Irrigation Projects that started E-65.

On June 22, 1941 he was united in marriage to Doris A. Holmquist at the Westlanda Church at Bertrand and to this union six children were born: Marlene, Darlene, Roger, Raymond, Randall and Judy. Freddie continued to farm until his retirement.

He enjoyed collecting old tractors, tinkering with engines and working on machinery. Freddie was a lifelong member of the Hope Lutheran Church and loved spending time with his family.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Doris of Bertrand; three daughters: Marlene Dahlgren and her husband, Gary of Bertrand, Darlene Samuelson and her husband, Allen of Bertrand and Judy Long and her husband, Gaylord of Holdrege; three sons: Roger Renken and his wife, Rosemary of Bertrand and Raymond Renken and his wife, Janet of Bertrand and Randall Renken and his wife, Sandy of Fort Morgan, Colorado; eighteen grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; and a host of great-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Bernadine Renken of Smithfield, Nebraska and Jean Brand and her husband, Delmer of Bertrand; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother; three sisters; son-in-law, Eldred Maaske and great-granddaughter, Danika Moore.

Freddie will lie in state at the Sandstrom Funeral Home in Bertrand, Nebraska on Monday, May 21, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in his memory.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Sandstrom Funeral Home in Bertrand is in charge of the arrangements.