Richard L Renken

Celebration of Life Service for Richard L. Renken will be held on Monday, October 23, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hope Lutheran Church in rural Smithfield, Nebraska with Pastor Tim Glendening, officiating. A private family inurnment will be held at the Hope Lutheran Cemetery in Gosper County, Nebraska prior to the service.

Richard LeRoy Renken, 50 years of age, of rural Bertrand, Nebraska, passed away on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 as a result of a motor vehicle accident, northwest of Bertrand. Richard was born July 1, 1967 at Holdrege, the eldest of four children born to Roger and Rosemary (Sundquist) Renken. He was baptized at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, and later confirmed at the Hope Lutheran Church. Richard received his education from Bertrand Community School, and graduated from Bertrand High School with the class of 1985. He then pursued higher education at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where he received his Bachelors of Science degree in Animal Science and Agronomy.

While in college, he met Annette Faye Rieken, and they were united in marriage on August 12, 1989. To this union two sons were born: Dustin Ryan and Tigh Jacob. The family made their home on a farm northwest of Bertrand. Richard's career was always involved in agriculture, and he also enjoyed working with cattle and livestock. In later years, Richard was employed in sales throughout Central Nebraska.

Being involved in his community was always an enjoyment to him, and most of all he loved the time spent with his family and friends. Special memories were formed throughout the years being involved with his sons in 4-H, and FFA.

Richard was a member of the Hope Lutheran Church, was active with the Bertrand Rodeo Committee, and he was humbled to have been chosen the Committee Man of the Year in 2017.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Freddie and Doris Renken, and Albert and Hilma Sundquist; and one niece, Danika Moore.

He leaves to celebrate his life; his wife, Annette Renken of rural Bertrand; two sons: Dustin Renken of Manhattan, Kansas, and Tigh Renken of Fort Scott, Kansas; his parents: Roger and Rosemary Renken of Bertrand; father-in-law and mother-in-law: James and Phyllis Rieken of Tekamah, Nebraska; two brothers: Royce Renken; and Robert Renken and his wife, Jennifer of all of Bertrand; one sister, Rayan Moore and her husband, Jeff of North Platte, Nebraska; sisters-in-law: Laura Wickham and Alan Wickham of Tekamah, and Christine Hansen and her husband, Rodney of Falls Church, Virginia; and a host of beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Memorial book signing will be held on Sunday, October 22, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at the Hope Lutheran Church in rural Smithfield.

A memorial which will be designated at a later date, has been established in Richard's honor, and can be sent to the family c/o 74809 Road 438, Bertrand, Nebraska 68927.

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

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.