Raymond Lynn Renken

1946 - 2022

KEARNEY - Raymond Lynn Renken, 75, of rural Bertrand died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, at CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.
Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Hope Lutheran Church in rural Smithfield with Joe Wilken officiating. The family encourages casual attire and those who need to wear a mask to do so.
This service will be livestreamed via the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home Facebook page or the Lutheran Church Facebook page.
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Raymond was born Nov. 13, 1946, in Lexington the fourth of six children born to Freddie and Doris A. (Holmquist) Renken. Raymond received his education from Bertrand High School, graduating with the class of 1965. He then pursued higher education from the Nebraska State Trade School in Milford graduating with a degree in Air Conditioning Technology in 1967.
Raymond then began working at Martin Electric in Lexington from 1967 until 1974.
On June 7, 1969, he married Janet K. Ebmeier at the Hope Lutheran Church. The couple was blessed with two children, Christie and Ron.
In 1974, Raymond returned to the farm. Raymond was baptized, confirmed and married at Hope Lutheran Church; and served on the church council at both Grace Lutheran Church in Lexington, and later, at Hope Lutheran Church. He was a Boy Scout Leader and continued mentoring those boys until they were young men. Raymond also served on the Bertrand Rural Fire Board and the Bertrand Co-op Board; but most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandson and his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Raymond collected toy tractors, coins and 8mm films. He enjoyed spending time camping, being outdoors, and watching Westerns. Raymond had a farmer's wit and was a great problem solver. On the last round of harvest, Raymond always threw his hat in the air and headed home. On Feb. 19, 2022, he truly headed home.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Janet Renken of rural Bertrand; his children, Christie and Brandy Anderson of Holbrook and Ron and Sherri Renken of Elm Creek; special extended family, Cody, Christine, Casey, Cassidy, Colten, Emmersyn, Zack, Baileigh and Logan; Brenda and family; and the Raymond and Bertha Meyer family; his siblings, Marlene Dahlgren and her husband, Gary, Darlene Samuelson and her husband, Allen, and Roger Renken and his wife, Rosemary, all of Bertrand, Randall Renken and his wife, Sandy of Fort Morgan, Colo., and Judy Long and her husband, Gaylord of Holdrege; one sister-in-law, Beverly Vacha of Gibbon; along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews; and many other relatives and friends.
Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, Freddie and Doris Renken; nephew, Richard L. Renken; a great-niece, Danika Moore; and two brothers-in-law, Eldred Maaske and Don Vacha.
A memorial will be established in Raymond's honor and is kindly suggested to the family.
Visit nelsonbauerfh.com to leave condolences.