Henry Sylvester Renn

Henry Sylvester Renn, age 86, passed away at home on his farm.  Henry was born in Harrison/Gleason up in the north woods of Wisconsin, to Henry and Whilhelmina (Schoone) Renn.   Henry was one of twelve children; his Mother died when he was 9 years old and his Father a few years later.  Under the guardianship of Uncle Joe, the Renn children took care of each other and as 2 of his sisters joined the convent Henry enrolled in St Nazainz Seminary his freshman year of high school.  He barely survived the school year as he missed his family up north.  Henry never finished high school but worked in the woods, he moved to the Kaukauna area getting work as a farm hand, and then he met the love of his life Hermmina Schreiber.   As they planned their wedding and life together Henry was working at the pulp mill, he discovered he did not like mill work. When his father-in-law offered him a job as his hired man to run the original farm, he and Hermmina started farming; eventually they bought the farm from Herman Schreiber, built their home to live in until death and raised 5 children. He was proud to teach his children to raise animals and work the farm fields.  He supported his children as they began their lives as a teacher, farmer, cook, financial consult and scientist.  Henry was an active 4-H leader, a member and President of Calumet Co. Farm Bureau and the Milk Marketing Board.   He truly enjoyed and cherished all the 18 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren with one on the way.  After Henry retired by selling the cows, he went fishing in Canada a few times, went to deer camp and traveled to visit his children and grandchildren. He took time to read books and play cards with family and friends.

 Henry’s favorite saying was; “he never worked a day in his life, just stayed home on the farm”.      

Henry is preceded in death by his wife Hermmina, and his son Henry H. Renn and is survived by children: daughter Frances (Michael) Renn-Malcheski, Ashwaubenon and their children: Wesley (Laura) Koltis and Wendolyn (Michael) Lambrecht, Henry’s wife Terry, Sherwood and their children: Jennifer (Jon) Bretl, Molly (Erich) O’Brien, Hank, Frank, Casey and Spencer Renn, daughter Lucy (Robert) Kesler, Stockbridge and their children: Angeline (Mike) von Neupert, Jessica (Troy) Jansen, Thomas and Gloria Kesler, son Matthew (Ann) Renn, Baraboo and their children: McCartney and Morgan Renn, son Michael (Tracy) Renn, New Richmond and their children: Alyssa (fiancé Robert),Alex (Tatiana), Connor and Jaxon.  Henry is further survived by brothers and sisters; Wilhelmina (Jerome) Roberts, Sister Frances Renn, Isabel (Neal) Olkives, Mary (George) Sladek, Peter (Kathy) Renn, Paul Renn, sisters in law; Arlene Renn and Estella Renn, Inez Everts, Kitty (Marvin) DeBruin Sally Schreiber and brother-in-law Sylvester Nett. 

Others preceding Henry in death are his parents, brothers; John, Charles, Hubert, sisters; Sister Johanna Renn, Barbara Smith, sisters and brothers in law Kathy Renn, Rosamond Nett, Ray Basil, Todd Smith, Richard Everts, Herman Schreiber and infant grandson Robert Thomas Kesler.

Mass of Christian burial for Henry will be 11:00 AM on Saturday March 24, 2018 at HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC CHURCH, E2796 Calumet St., Darboy with FR. Robert Kollath officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday evening March 23 at Valley Funeral Home from 4:00 until 8:00 PM. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday morning beginning at 9:00 until 10:45 AM, with Mass to follow at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established. 

The family wishes a very special Thank you to Care providers; Janina (Henry thought of her as another daughter), Deb, Paul and Vickie. Ascension Hospice nurses, Dr. Danz and his office staff, and the Pharmacy staff at Pick n Save.  

His cows are milked, their stalls are cleaned. He’s already swept in the last of their feed. Today this farmer’s work is done.

It’s time his planter is put away. His corn is in, his rows are straight: Nothing left to do-but hope and pray- for summer sun and gentle rain. This farmer’s work is done.

Don’t  you see? His children are his rows of corn; the crops growing in the summer sun. Grandpa took great pride, until the day he died, in the crops he shared and the seeds he left behind; now it’s time for him to rest. This farmer’s work is done.

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