Frederick M. Renz

Frederick M. (Fritz) Renz, 86, of Thurston, NE, passed away Sunday, December 7, 2014, at Legacy Gardens Rehabilitation Center in Pender, NE. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Pender, NE; with Father Gerald Leise officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 9, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church. A prayer service will begin at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be Thursday, December 11, 2014 at Taylor Cemetery in Homer, NE. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home of Pender, NE. Frederick was born July 2, 1928 in Carroll, NE to Thomas and Lena (Bartels) Renz. He graduated from Homer High School in 1946. On January 26, 1951, he married Beth Conway in Winnebago, NE. To this union, 8 children were born. In 1957, Frederick was drafted into the United States Army where he served in the Korean War for two years. After returning from the war, Frederick began farming. He co-owned and operated Thurston Manufacturing and co-owned the Thurston Bar. He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Pender, NE. Frederick was a commander in the Thurston American Legion, a member of the Thurston Fire Department, and a town board member. He loved being outside on the farm and fishing. He also enjoyed reading. Frederick is survived by his wife, Mary (Beth) Renz; sons, Tim Renz of Casper, WY, Tom (Linda) Renz of Thurston, NE, Cary (Peggy) Renz of Bancroft, NE, and Robert (Jana) Renz of Thurston, NE; daughters Catherine (Terry) Simonsen of Pender, NE, Janis (Daryl) Harrison of Thurston, NE, Leanne (Andrew) Miller of Shiloh, IL; sisters Mildred Babb of Corvallis, OR, Dorothy Farthing of Stayton, OR, Betty Hagberg of Kalamazoo, MI, Darlene Smith of Decatur, NE, 17 grandchildren, and 27 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Joy; daughter-in-law, Sharon; sister, Margaret Smith; brothers, Robert (Dutch) Renz, Earle Renz, Gerald Renz, Warren Renz, Donald Renz, Leo Renz, and parent-in-laws, Dorothy and Emmet Conway