Mildred Marie Renken (91) of Effingham

Print

Published on October 16 2019 4:14 pm

Mildred Marie Renken, 91, of Effingham, IL, went to be with her Heavenly Father while being surrounded by her family at 4:15 a.m. Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at her residence.

Mildred M. Renken is survived by daughter, Lois (Jon) Ruppert of Taylorville; son, Mark (Terri) of Kokomo, IN; five grandchildren, Gretchen Alaina Ruppert, Lane Ruppert, Faith Renken, Abigail Renken and Timothy Renken; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Glenn E. Renken, on December 18, 2010; her parents, Henry T. and Mary L. “Maime” (Deedrick) Oye; and siblings, Alvin, Edwin, Willie, and Harry Oye and Helen McCartney.

Mildred was born in Galton, Illinois on October 21, 1927, was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Tuscola and graduated from Tuscola High School. She worked as a secretary/bookkeeper at Tuscola National Bank and Marine Bank in Springfield. She married Rev. Glenn E. Renken on June 25, 1961. She loved being a pastor’s wife, mother, grandmother, godmother and treasured her many friendships. Mildred and Rev. Glenn Renken’s 45 plus years of ministry in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod took them to Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Dieterich, IL and Altamont, IL. She had been a Vacation Bible School superintendent for many years in both Iowa and Illinois. She was active in Dieterich community activities, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, holding many leadership positions, CID Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Pastor’s wives activities and Dieterich Ruritan. She enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, baking and cooking, bible studies, LWML activities, visiting her children, grandchildren, extended family and with her many friends. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 21 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Altamont with Rev. Dr. James F. Wright and Rev. Gary D. Fortkamp officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery in Altamont. Visitation will be Sunday from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the church and one hour prior to the service on Monday. Johnson Funeral Home, Effingham is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either CID Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Church Worker Fund or Lutheran Care Center, Altamont. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here