|
Mary Jane (Janie) Renken, formerly of Godfrey, was received into Heaven by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Good Friday, April 2, 2021, after a short illness.
Mary Jane, a 1969 graduate of Alton High School and a Marching 100 Alumni, graduated in 1973 from University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.
Mary Jane moved to the Dallas, Texas, area in 1985, and resided in Garland, Texas. She retired after almost 40 years as a commercial lines insurance underwriter.
Mary Jane was a very active member of her church, Messiah Lutheran in Plano, Texas, for over 30 years. She served as the church financial secretary. She was active with the Kingdom Women’s Group and very fond of Triton, the church’s comfort dog, and ministry.
Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred H. Renken and Lillian M. (Newman) Renken; a sister, and cousins. Mary Jane is survived by her brother, Tom Renken, of Alton; many cousins, friends and her church family.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Plano, Texas. The Rev. Dr. Victor J. Kollman will lead the service.
Mary Jane will reside with her church family in the church Columbarium Garden.
Please make memorials out to Messiah Lutheran’s Comfort Dog Ministries, in care of Messiah Lutheran Church, 1801 West Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75075.
|
Florence Hammet (Cohen)
I am so sad to learn of Mary Jane's passing. My deepest sympathy to her family, friends and church community. One of my favorite memories of our 50th AHS class reunion was seeing Mary Jane at the reunion. It was a joy!! I remember her so fondly from McKinley School days, in the classroom, lunchroom and on the playground. Rest in peace, Mary Jane!
Linda Roper (Kuhrt)
My sympathy to Mary Jane's family and friends. I'm so sorry to hear of her passing. I knew her from band and classes, and truly enjoyed talking with her again at the 50th reunion. I know that her faith was rock solid and the connection to her church was strong. May she rest in peace.Mary Renee Steele (Pellegrino)
So saddened to hear that Mary Jane passed away. She was so sweet, kind and generous. We sat alphabetically Renken and Steele for most of grade school at MCKinley. We became Besties, even shared a cabin at Girl Scout Camp at Marquette park.
It was such a thrill to see her and catch up at the 50th! Mary Jane, you touched so many hearts.
Rest In Peace Sweet Lady.
Renee
Rebecca E. (Becky) Bierbaum
So very sorry & sad to learn of Mary Jane's passing!!! Extending deepest sympathy to her family & friends. We went through McKinley Grade School, Girl Scouts, West Jr, High School, & AHS together. It was so great seeing her again at our 50th Class Reunion!!! Mary Jane was such a kind, sweet, intelligent, caring, thoughtful person!!! May she rest in peace.
Susan Paris (Delano)
I am so very sorry to hear about Mary Jane's passing in April. I didn't meet Mary Jane until high school in band, but we found we had a connection--my cousin Rick List worked with her dad at Renken's Auto on Broadway, and we also had some mutual relatives. We had such fun together in band and in Marching 100! We both played clarinet. She had a wonderful, wicked sense of humor that I loved, yet she was a vey sweet, caring person. I enjoyed seeing her & catching up at the 50th Reunion. Thank you for your gift of friendship, Mary Jane. Prayers of comfort for her family & all who knew her.
Jean K. Webb
I was so sorry to learn of Mary Jane's death. We have lost a number of classmates over the years, but the pace is clearly increasing -- a sign of our increasing age, I know.
A number of people commenting have said that they saw her at the 50th. Somehow I missed her! I wish that hadn't been the case -- but the time was so short.
We overlapped in activities at AHS -- especially band and Marching 100, though she was with the woodwinds and I was "on the other side" with the brass. But my strong memories of Mary Jane are from McKinley School. In those days -- there is no question -- she was my friend. And, though I haven't kept in touch with her, I know a light has gone out from this world.
We did all come together at AHS, but the ties from grade school and junior high are, I think, somewhat stronger since AHS was so big. I noticed that many of the people responding to the notice of Steve Fields' death were Milton/East Junior friends. And a number of the people responding to this notice were my friends at McKinley. (Renee, I was probably on that Girl Scout campout too. I remember one where we had a real rainstorm, and, in addition, I remember I had to leave early to go back for my confirmation. I didn't like having to choose!) But, thank you, Linda and Susie, for also reminding me of the shared memories and strong ties from the 100.
Mary Jane, old friend, may you indeed rest in peace.
Jean K. Webb
I was so sorry to learn of Mary Jane's death. We have lost a number of classmates over the years, but the pace is clearly increasing -- a sign of our increasing age, I know.
A number of people commenting have said that they saw her at the 50th. Somehow I missed her! I wish that hadn't been the case -- but the time was so short.
We overlapped in activities at AHS -- especially band and Marching 100, though she was with the woodwinds and I was "on the other side" with the brass. But my strong memories of Mary Jane are from McKinley School. In those days -- there is no question -- she was my friend. And, though I haven't kept in touch with her, I know a light has gone out from this world.
We did all come together at AHS, but the ties from grade school and junior high are, I think, somewhat stronger since AHS was so big. I noticed that many of the people responding to the notice of Steve Fields' death were Milton/East Junior friends. And a number of the people responding to this notice were my friends at McKinley. (Renee, I was probably on that Girl Scout campout too. I remember one where we had a real rainstorm, and, in addition, I remember I had to leave early to go back for my confirmation. I didn't like having to choose!) But, thank you, Linda and Susie, for also reminding me of the shared memories and strong ties from the 100.
Mary Jane, old friend, may you indeed rest in peace.
Barbara J. Drew (Belshe)
We have certainly lost one of God's angels here on earth. Mary Jane was one of the nicest, sweetest person I know. I remember her sweet smile, that she shared with everyone, the most. I met her in band at AHS. Like Jeannie Webb, I was a French horn on the other side of the room but I can still see Mary Jane playing her clarinet, so calm and cool. We also shared a seat on the bus, she had her little clarinet, I had my big french horn!! Not sure how all 3 of us fit in the seat?? I am very sorry I missed her at our 50th, it would have been a highlight. My deepest sympathy to her family and friends. I know many people have an empty spot in their heart. I also know Mary Jane is resting in peace with God and her friends.
"E" Wilson Burdorff, Jr.
Oh my golly... I'm so saddened to learn of Mary Jane's passing back in April. She and I go waaay back to 2nd Grade at McKinley Elementary School. And... I remember VERY WELL about a day in our 3rd Grade class (with Mrs. Kirsch)... for which I had a "serious" sit-down discussion with Mary Jane at our 50th high school reunion back in 2019. I told Mary Jane I had been "holding a grudge" against her for some 60 years for what she "had done" to me in the first few weeks of the 3rd grade in 1959.
Oh... I should explain... over the summer of 1959 this little boy had the "trip of his lifetime." Dad drove me and the family out Route 66 to California. Along the way we visited Dodge City and the Grand Canyon. Out on the coast we went to Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, and the Marineland of the Pacific. After that we took in San Francisco and Las Vegas. Wowee... was I ever SET to WOW our 3rd grade class with MY story during the obligatory exercise when we were to explain... "What I did last summer."
BUT... before I got up to speak, Mary Jane just HAD to get up and talk about HER summer. So what did she do? Well, she and her family took a driving/camping trip up to ALASKA, the newly annoited 59th State in the Union. YOWCH! I was crushed. She had ruined my big moment. So... 60 years later... I just had to have a "serious" sit down talk with her at the reunion. We both LAUGHED and had a great time about it. But... then she had to go and tell me that she had traveled to ALASKA... TWICE! Oh, o.k., we both had another good laugh at my expense.
Oh golly... I've carried on so here. I have nothing but happy memories of Mary Jane all through the school years. She was certainly a gem of a person.
My condolences and prayers go out to Mary Jane's family and friends.
Rest In Peace, Mary Jane, my sweet travel "competitor."
Deborah L. Stauffer (Hubbard)
I can not believe that Mary Jane is gone. We have been best friends since she took me "under her wing" when I moved to Godfrey in 9th grade. So many good memories at North Junior High & Alton High ... band & Marching 100, dances, parties & sleepovers. We kept in touch over 50 years & finally got back together at the 50 year class reunion. It was like we had never been apart & we got to spend two special days catching up. I went to see her again in July of 2020 in Texas and was suppose to see her again the week she passed away. I will miss her sweet friendship. She was such a special lady!
Rest In Peace, dear friendđź’•