Robert Harold Renken , September 25, 1921 — December 29, 2018

Robert Harold Renken September 25, 1921 – December 29, 2018 Share this obituary Send Flowers Sign Guestbook| Send Sympathy Card Robert Harold Renken, age 97, of Grundy Center, Iowa, formerly of Aplington, Iowa, was born the son of Renke H. and Bertha (Huisman) Renken on September 25, 1921, in rural Aplington. Robert graduated from Grundy Center High School in 1940. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp in 1942.

After being honorable discharged in 1945, Robert moved to Portland, Oregon. Robert was united in marriage with Patricia Ann Cavanaugh on November 1, 1946, in Vancouver, Washington. After their marriage, the couple lived in Portland, Oregon, where Robert worked as a zone manager for International Harvester Company in the Portland, Oregon district for five years.

In 1951, the couple moved back to Iowa and lived on the family farm near Aplington where Robert began farming. He raised purebred Herford cattle for 60 years. Robert was elected and served as: State Commander for Iowa Department of AMVETS from 1958 to 1959; National Executive Committeemen for Iowa Department of AMVETS from 1961 to 1962; Chairmen of Grundy County Republican Central Committee for four years; several county commissions for a number of years; Grundy County Board for Supervisors in the 1970’s; Iowa State Legislature in 1979 and served for 17 years; Chairman of the House Commerce Committee and was an Assistant Majority Leader.

In 1996, Robert retired. Robert was a charter member of Faith Lutheran Church in Parkersburg where he served on the church council several times. He was a member of the Farm Bureau, AMVETS and the National Herford Association.

Robert enjoyed politics and being outdoors, but his greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren. Robert died Saturday, December 29, 2018, at Grundy Care Center in Grundy Center. Robert is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Patricia, on May 29, 2007; his parents; and one sister, Doris Hehr.

Robert is survived by one son, Jeff (Sherri) Renken of Parkersburg, two grandchildren, Travis (Michelle) Renken of Aplington and Brittany Renken of Cedar Falls; five great-grandchildren, Tayler, Melia, Levi, Hannah and Hallie Renken. Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 2, 2019, at Faith Lutheran Church, with burial at Oak Hill Cemetery, both in Parkersburg, Iowa. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm.

to 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the Redman-Schwartz Funeral Home in Parkersburg, and one hour before services at the church. Memorials may be directed to Faith Lutheran Church.

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