Carl G. Renz

Carl Gene Renz, 86, died Sunday morning, January 22, 2012 at the Lennox Good Samaritan Center following a courageous battle with cancer. Carl was born in Smithwick, SD on April 1, 1925, the son of Goerge and Marie (Kienitz) Renz. He attended school in Smithwick and later Hot Springs. His graduation from high school was deferred when he entered the US Navy in March, 1943. During World War II he served in the Pacific theater, including duty in both Japan and China. Upon his discharge from the Navy in 1946, Carl entered college at South Dakota State in Brookings. It was there he met and later married Vivian Hofer, the sister of his college roommate, Verlyn, on September 17, 1948. Upon graduation from college in 1951, Carl and Vivian moved to Lennox where Carl taught vocational agriculture courses as part of the Veterans education program. In 1953, Carl opened Carl's Service, and in 1963 the Park Villa Motel, where he and Vivian remained in business until 1988. During his life in Lennox, Carl was an active member of First English Lutheran Church, serving on the church council, various committees, as an usher, and for several years as the starting catcher for the church softball team. Active in his community, he was a former president of the Commercial Club and member of the Lennox City Council, Troop 109 Boy Scout committee and Brethorst-Burma American Legion Post #179. He enjoyed bowling, creating iron art work and restoring antique automobiles. He was also a member of the Historical Society and Lennox Senior Citizens. Carl was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Vivian, on January 16, 1993; his parents; brothers and sisters: Marie, Bertha, Lester, Laura, Ruth, Etta, William, Harold, Florence, Esther and Clarence. He will forever be remembered by his friends and family, including his son Ryan and wife, Joan, of Lennox and son Evan and his wife, Diane, of San Antonio, Texas; five grandchildren: Megan, Christina, Marlene, Ellen and Nathan Renz; his sisters: Joyce Scherbarth, Kate McClung and Arlene Krein, all of Hot Springs, SD, along with countless other friends and family whom were blessed to know him. Carl touched the lives of many people with his smile and generosity, and maintained his trademark friendly demeanor to the very end. The family wishes to thank the staff at the Lennox Good Samaritan Center for their caring service during the year that Carl was a resident. Services will begin 10:00 a.m. Friday, Jan. 27 at First English Lutheran Church, Lennox with burial in the Lennox Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday with the family present from 7 to 8 p.m. at Dindot-Klusmann Funeral Home, Lennox.

Carl G. Renz

April 1, 1925 - January 22, 2012

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