Barbara A. Renken, 77, of the Town of Pine River, Lincoln County, passed away Thursday, February 14, 2019. Barbara was born December 11, 1941 daughter of the late Raymond and Anna (Dault) Breunig. She married John Renken on January 10, 1959. He survives. Barbara and John dairy farmed in the Town of Pine River. Barbara had also worked in the housekeeping department at Good Samaritan Health Center. Barbara was a very caring and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed playing card games and board games with all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was affectionately called ‘Gigi’ by her great-grandchildren. Barbara cherished time spent with her family the most. She also enjoyed crafting, working on puzzles, vegetable and flower gardening, and baking. She is most noted for saying “Oh honestly!” Barbara was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church, Town of Pine River, where she was actively involved.
Survivors include her husband, John Renken of Merrill; daughters, Marilyn (Michael) Henkelman of Merrill, Sheila (Jeff) Anderson of Merrill, Tammy Kiskoski (William Schmoekel) of Merrill and Angela Renken (Ben Clark) of Antigo; son, Randy (Amy) Renken of Eagle River; grandchildren, Amy Henkelman (Cornell Bass), Matthew (Melissa) Henkelman, Aaron Henkelman, Rachel (Cody) Schmidt, Kyle (Becky) Ames, Abbie Renken, Rick (Amber) Renken, Kordell Renken, Farije Kiskoski and Shaban Kiskoski; great-grandchildren, Brayden, Jaxson, Kai, Miles, Lawson, Harper, Anistyn and a baby girl on-the-way; sisters, Delores Bonkoski and Irene Schepp both of Merrill; brothers, Maynard (Bonnie) Breunig of Wausau and David (Maria) Breunig of Merrill; a very close friend Marj Lemke of Merrill; and many nieces and nephews. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Anna Breunig; son, Rick Renken; grandson, Lucas Anderson; brother, Robert Breunig; and brothers-in-law, Marvin Bonkoski and Wayne Schepp.
The funeral service for Barbara will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 23, 2019 at Calvary Lutheran Church, Town of Pine River. Rev. Susan Christian will officiate. Burial will take place in Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Friday at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, and after 10:00 A.M. Saturday at the church. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com