Barbara Ann Renken

Barbara Ann Renken, the daughter of Matthew  and Erleen (Stamm) Johannes, was born August 20, 1942, in Ashton, IA. Her childhood years were spent in Ashton where she attended school and graduated from Catholic high school.

On February 7, 1961, she was united in marriage to William “Bill” Renken in Ashton, IA. Following their marriage, they lived in Minnesota, Nebraska, and California, before settling in Meriden, IA, in 1971. In 1980, they opened Bill’s Bottles and Cans. Barb was a homemaker working from home helping raise their six children. She thoroughly loved being a mother and was known as a mother and grandmother of all traits.

She loved to garden, bake, and sew. Most of all she loved the time spent with her family and friends.

On Wednesday, March 15, 2023, Barb passed away at the Paula J. Barber Hospice house in Fort Dodge, IA, at the age of 80. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Renken, and one son, David Renken.

She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Sharon (Lonnie) Benson of Cherokee, IA, Billy Joe (Buffy) Renken of Kellogg, IA, Rodger Renken of Cherokee, IA, Debbie (Tim) Anderson of Texas, and Kimberly Renken of Sioux Falls, SD; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Janet of Virginia, Joanne of Sioux Falls, SD, and Jeannie of Sioux City, IA; also several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.