Joan M. Renken, 58, of Humboldt, passed away November 29, 2014 at the Humboldt County Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Faith United Methodist Church in Humboldt with the Rev. Christy Ehrle officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt.
Joan is survived by her husband, Dan Renken of Humboldt; her daughter, Wendy (Thomas) Wimmer of Humboldt; her two grandchildren, Dominick and Shyann; her parents, Jerry and JoAnn George; brother, Michael (Rhonda) George of Humboldt; sisters, Michelle (Bob) Nielsen of Humboldt and Marla (Steve) Koch of Ankeny; and sister-in-laws, Leslie (Roger) McNeal of Humboldt and Starla Renken of Eagle Grove. Her brother-in-laws, Tom Renken and Mike Renken preceded her in death.
Joan Marie George, the daughter of Jerry and JoAnn (Simpson) George, was born June 3, 1956 at Fort Dodge, Iowa. She was raised and educated at Humboldt, graduating from Humboldt High School in 1975. She then attended college in Spencer. On July 17, 1976, she was united in marriage to Dan Renken at the First Lutheran Church in Gilmore City. The couple made their home in Humboldt where Joan took care of the family’s home and raised her daughter, Wendy.
Joan stayed busy babysitting for friends and relatives. An animal lover, she enjoyed caring for her pets and those of family members. Quick to help, Joan could often be seen helping her mother at “The Bootery” in Humboldt. She enjoyed cross-stitching and especially loved the time she spent with her grandchildren. She and Dan enjoyed camping and auto racing. An avid sports fan, Joan loved all sports from high school to professional.