John L. Rens

Rock Rapids, IA John L. Rens, age 81 of Rock Rapids, IA died Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at the Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, Jan. 20th at the Christian Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, with Rev. Cliff Hoekstra officiating. Burial will follow at the Hope Community Cemetery of Hull, IA. Visitation will be Friday, Jan. 19th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Roste Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. John L. Rens was born on August 22, 1925 on the family farm south of Hull, in Sioux County, Iowa, the son of Lammert and Mary (Willemsen) Rens. He attended country school in Welcome Township #4. He remained with his parents after school and helped with the family farm. John was united in marriage to Nellie Kraayenbrink on December 13, 1945, by Rev. Oliver Breen. After Johns father retired from farming, John and Nellie took over the duties of the farm and were blessed with the birth of six children. They became the fourth generation of the Rens family to attend the First Christian Reformed Church in Hull, where all of their children were baptized. During his farming years, John and his boys enjoyed raising a purebred pig stock and showing them at area fairs. John and Nellie retired from farming in 1969. They moved to Rochester, MN where they became Assistant Managers at Prows Motel and Apartment complex. John helped Nellie with the management of the motel, while working at a local greenhouse. They attended the Church of the Savior where John served in the Consistory. In 1975, they moved to Windsor, CO for a year and a half. In 1976, they bought Jays Motel in Rock Rapids, IA. John also worked part-time for Rock Rapids Municipal Housing and later as janitor at the Rock Rapids Post Office. In his retirement years, John spent time doing woodworking. He was a member of the Christian Reformed Church in Rock Rapids. John was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be remembered for his devotion to his faith, family, his unselfish nature, and his good sense of humor. This past Wednesday, January 17, 2007, John died at the Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 81. John is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Nellie of Rock Rapids; four sons, Albert and fianc Laurie Alesch of Ireton, IA, Lammert (Sandy) of Spirit Lake, IA, Bernard (Gwynne) of Gilbertsville, PA, and Ronald (Lori) of Sioux Falls, SD; two daughters, Marilyn Vugteveen of Okoboji, IA, and Donna (Trent) Fuoss of Rock Rapids, IA; 13 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Christine Rens of Hull, Chris Rens of Hull, and Luella Rens of Orange City, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; three brothers; and his grandson-in-law, Sean Brock who was killed in Iraq in 2005.