Jeffry Renneberg

FUNERAL SERVICES : 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at Assumption of Our Lady Catholic Church in Menahga, MN with Father Arlie Sowada officiating.VISITATION : 5-8:00 P.M. with Parish Prayers at 7:30 P.M. on Friday, February 1, 2013 at Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.INTERMENT : Assumption of Our Lady Catholic Cemetery in Menahga, MNSURVIVORS : His wife of 15 years, Phyllis, his two children: Nicole Smith of Vadnais Heights and Erik (Mara) Renneberg of Fairbanks, AK; his three stepchildren: David Johnson of Middletown, MO, Christy Davis of Breezy Point, MN and Lindsey Johnson of Menahga; three beloved grandchildren and four beloved step-grandchildren; his mother, Agnes Renneberg of Menahga; his two brothers: Wes (Lana) Renneberg of Menahga and Greg (Joyce) Renneberg of Reedsburg, WI. JEFFRY JOSEPH RENNEBERGDecember 12, 1947- January 23, 2013 Jeffry Joseph Renneberg, age 65 of Menahga, MN passed away at his home with his loving wife at his side on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 after a valiant battle against cancer of the gall bladder. Jeff was born on December 12, 1947 in New Hampton, Iowa to Lambert and Agnes (Flick) Renneberg. In 1957, the family ventured to Northern MN and settled near Menahga where they purchased and operated the Twin Lakes Lodge Resort. As a boy, Jeff loved the fishing, swimming and meeting all the guests at the resort. He attended the Menahga Public High School, graduating in 1966. He was a standout athlete on the school track team and served as co-captain his senior year. Jeff excelled in distance running. As a senior, he participated in the state meet in the mile and set school records that went unbroken for over 30 years. True to his humble nature, Jeff always attributed his track success to the great coaching he received. In the fall of 1966, Jeff attended St. Cloud State University where he participated in collegiate track events. His college coach, Bob Tracy, led his team to many wins. His team took second place in cross country in 1967. Jeff served as co-captain of his college team in his junior year and was voted small college All-American twice in the Track Steeplechase Event. His team went to the Olympic trials in Steeplechase in the summer of 1968. He was voted outstanding Northern Intercollegiate Champion in 1971. Jeff graduated with his bachelor"s degree from St. Cloud State in 1972. He gained employment with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in the fall of "72. He worked as a research technician with renowned Timber Wolf researcher, L. David Mech where they tracked and tagged wolves for a total of 7 years. From 1974 " 1986, Jeff was married to Jean Sjoberg. Two outstanding children came from that union: Nicole and Erik. He was so proud of them both. In 1979, they moved to Grand Marais where Jeff worked for Gene Doody Floor covering through 1987. It was work he found to be rewarding. While there, Jeff was a member of St. Johns Catholic Church where he served on the parish council and was a lector. In 1988, Jeff returned to Menahga and started working for the family business, Renneberg Hardwoods. He spent the next 25 years working in management, sales, deliveries, and quality control. He worked right up to his 65th birthday on December 12, 2012. His knowledge and expertise will be missed by everyone there. In 1997, Jeff married Phyllis Johnson. He thought she was the best horse woman in the state. Some of his best times were spent horse camping in the Badlands of North Dakota and the Black Hills of South Dakota as well as numerous places in Minnesota with good friends. In 2002, Jeff was inducted into the St. Cloud University Athletic Hall of Fame. He felt truly honored and so proud to be surrounded by his family and friends at the ceremony. From 2009 " 2012, Jeff owned and operated a small business called Superior Wood Vents where he produced a wood floor vent for the hardwood flooring business. Jeff was a member of the American Association of Woodturners and a member of the MN Lakes Wood Turners in Detroit Lakes and the surrounding area. He enjoyed spending time in his shop turning wood. He especially enjoyed working with burls and made many wooden ink pens as well as bowls, vases, plates, key chains, toys, trivets, and cutting boards. He was very talented and meticulous in his wood working. He enjoyed giving these wood creations to friends and family as well as selling some. Jeff was an avid bicycle rider. He rode most evenings and was proud to have put over 1,000 miles on his bike in 2012. He enjoyed riding the nice bike trails in northern MN. One special ride for him was on the bike trails by Lanesboro, MN with his brother, Greg and niece, Megan. Jeff enjoyed gardening, especially his tomatoes and flowers. He wanted to "give back" as he put it and in 2011 he worked on a Habitat for Humanity project in Mankato for a week. He felt it was a great program and wanted to do more. After his cancer diagnosis he pushed himself to do more and was able to spend another two weeks on a Habitat home in Grand Rapids with the Care-A-Vanners. He truly enjoyed the work and the people. Jeff was a member of the Assumption of our Lady Catholic Church in Menahga where he was a lector and a parish council member. He and other devoted members were instrumental in getting the new addition completed on the church this year. Jeff will be very missed by all who knew him. He was a strong, intelligent, kind, giving, humble and devout man of God. He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Phyllis, his two children: Nicole Smith of Vadnais Heights and Erik (Mara) Renneberg of Fairbanks, AK; his three stepchildren: David Johnson of Middletown, MO, Christy Davis of Breezy Point, MN and Lindsey Johnson of Menahga; three beloved grandchildren and four beloved step-grandchildren; his mother, Agnes Renneberg of Menahga; his two brothers: Wes (Lana) Renneberg of Menahga and Greg (Joyce) Renneberg of Reedsburg, WI; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Lambert in 2009 and his mother-in-law, Dorothy Anderson in 2003 as well as several aunts and uncles. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, February 2, 2013 at the Assumption of our Lady Catholic Church in Menahga with Father Arlie Sowada officiating. The organist will be Ione Ellingson and the vocalists will be Tim, Tom and Darren Ellingson. The casket bearers will be his brothers: Wes Renneberg and Greg Renneberg, college team mates: Jim Ridgway, Bruce Johnson and Van Nelson and friends: Greg Madetzke, Gary Weyer and Paul Bundy. Interment will be made in the Renneberg family plot at the Assumption of Our Lady Catholic Cemetery of Menahga. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM on Friday at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga and for one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. A luncheon will be hosted by the church following the service.