Obituary of Rena Korenberg

Memorial Tribute Rena Alyda (Van Gelder) Korenberg was born on October 19, 1916, on a farm near Doon, Iowa, to Reina (Geertsma) and Jacob Van Gelder. She spent her childhood years in the Rock Rapids, Iowa, area where she attended the local country school. She was united in marriage to John Korenberg at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on May 31, 1935. They farmed for many years near Rock Rapids. After moving to Hartley in 1965, Rena and John purchased and operated the Iowan Motel. John passed away on December 20, 1990. Rena continued to live at home in Hartley until entering the Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley in 2001. While they were farming, Rena participated in the day to day chores on the farm, along with taking care of her home and her family. She stressed the importance of the 4-H program, and was actively involved in helping her children with their many projects. Until shortly before entering the nursing home, when it became physically impossible for her to do so, Rena enjoyed planting and tending her large gardens. She canned most of the produce that she grew, and never wanted anything to go to waste. She loved to "fancy work" such as crocheting, and made certain that each family member had one of her afghans. She and John traveled extensively; something she continued to do even after his death. She was very proud of her Dutch heritage, and collected numerous Delftware items. Rena passed away at the Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley on October 1, 2010; just 2 1/2 weeks short of her 94th birthday. Survivors include her four children and their families: Elizabeth "Bette" Worth and her husband, Bruce of Hartley, Roger Korenberg and his wife, Jerri of California, Missouri, Renee Crist and her husband, Roger of Hartley, and John Korenberg and his wife, Marci of Clear Lake, Iowa; eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; two sisters, Fenna Klingberg and Enna Sigler, and one sister-in-law, Ann Juffer. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; four sisters, Gertrude, Agnes, Tillie and Henrietta; a son-in-law, David Rensted, and a great-granddaughter, Desiree Crist. A Celebration of Life Rena Korenberg Born ~ October 19, 1916 Died ~ October 1, 2010 Age ~ 93 years 11 months 12 days Funeral Service 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 5, 2010 Hartley Funeral Home Hartley, Iowa Officiating ~ Rev. Steve Campbell Organist ~ Julie Back Soloist ~ Cindy Campbell "Hymn of Promise" "Come to Jesus" Pallbearers J.R. Korenberg Donald Koel Rick Crist Cameron Crist Kevin Korenberg Jeremy Korenberg Honorary Pallbearers Susan Rensted Paul Rensted Karen Korenberg Rachel Crist and the great-grandchildren Interment Pleasant View Cemetery Hartley, Iowa