Marvin Rens

Marvin Rens, age 78 of Hills, MN, died Thursday, April 16, 2009 at the Royal C. Johnson Veterans Memorial Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral service will be 1:00 PM, Monday, April 20th at First Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Falls, SD, with Pastor Calvin Hoogendoorn officiating. Burial will follow at United Reformed Cemetery in Hills, MN. Visitation will be Sunday, April 19th with family receiving friends from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Hills. Marvin Rens was born December 22, 1930 near Perkins Corner, Hull, Iowa, the son of John and Mina (VanMaanen) Rens. He was raised on farm and attended Hull Christian School, graduating from 8th grade in 1943. He started working at an early age, doing odd jobs, such as carpentry work, owning his own gravel truck and feed grinding business, also custom hail bailing, all before the age of 19. On February 19, 1952, Marvin was united in marriage to Evelyn Evie Van Den Oever at the First Reformed Church of Hull, IA. He then entered the U.S. Army on October 14, 1952, serving 17 months in Germany. He received his honorable discharge in 1954 and returned home to Evie where lived and farmed for a year west of Rock Rapids, IA. Then in 1956 they moved to near Hull, IA and in 1959 they purchased a farm north west of Hills, MN where they remained. Marvin farmed with his family by his side until 1993, after he was diagnosed with early onset of dementia. He fought the good fight with pride and dignity. Marvin was known as a hard worker, humble and strong man, and also for his passion for farming. He enjoyed Rat Terrier dogs, tinkering in his tool shed and traveling with his wife, Evie. Marvin was most proud of the love of his life, Evie, daughter, Linda his Joy son-in-law, Orlie and his grandsons his sons , Brian, Terry and Dan. On March 31, 2009, Marvin entered the Royal C. Johnson Veterans Memorial Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD with health complication and remained there until this past Thursday, April 16, 2009 where he died at the age of 78. Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 57 years, Evelyn Evie Rens of Hills, MN; a daughter, Linda Joy (husband, Orlie) Aukes of Hills, MN; three grandsons, Brian (wife, Janna) Aukes of Beaver Creek, MN, Terry (wife, Christine) Aukes of Larchwood, IA and Dan (wife, Amy) Aukes of Valley Springs, SD; six great-grandchildren, Logan, Dylan, Katelyn, Jaren, Megan and Braden; a sister, Alberta (husband, Paul) Bolks of Hull, IA; two brothers, Albert (wife, Coba) Rens of Hull, IA and Delmar (wife, Mae) Rens of Sun Valley, CA; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mina Rens; an infant daughter, Laurie Ann Rens; a brother, Robert Rens; and three sisters, Angeline Bekuis, Mina Burgraaf and Janet Kroese.