GLADYS L. RENNERFELDT, 103

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Gladys L. Rennerfeldt, 103, died Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008, at Oakland Heights in Oakland.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the First United Methodist Church in Oakland. Interment will be in the Westside Cemetery in rural Oakland.

Visitation will be held Tuesday at the church, one hour prior to services.

Gladys L. Johnson was born April 12, 1905, on her grandfather’s homestead, a few miles west of Oakland. She was one of 14 children born to Victor and Lizzie (Johanssen) Johnson. She was baptized in 1907. She attended rural school through the eighth grade, then, for a number of years, she helped at home with her younger sisters and brothers, and with the household and farm chores.

In 1925, she married Ellroy Rennerfeldt. They farmed in the Oakland and Craig area until 1936 when the “Dirty ‘30s” brought an end to their farming. They then moved to Oakland. While living in several different homes in Oakland, they lived near the park for 50 years. This made it very convenient for grandkids (and friends who were always welcome) coming from swimming or the 4-H grandkids from the fairgrounds to enjoy Grandma’s homemade rolls, cookies, cake, fudge, KoolAid and other treats. Mrs. Rennerfeldt was there for two of her great-granddaughters through their entire 4-H years. Their home was also a great spot to sit and watch the parade during the Burt County Fair.

In the late 1950s, the Rennerfeldts’ youngest daughter, Yvonne, and her two sons made their home with Grandma and Grandpa for nine years. All these things kept Mrs. Rennerfeldt “young” and the happy person she was!

For many years she had a vegetable garden, and always lots of beautiful flowers. The flower boxes by her back door were admired by many passing by.

Her husband died in 1972. At the age of 99 ½ years, Mrs. Rennerfeldt moved to Oakland Heights Assisted Living and at the age of 101, went to the nursing home.

She is survived by her three daughters and sons-in-law, Shirley Smith and Janice and Jack Schroeder of Oakland; and Yvonne and Bob Magill of Tekamah; son, Harley Rennerfeldt of Blair; 19 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Nona Newman and sister-in-law, Evelyn Rennerfeldt, both of Oakland; many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Beverly Jean Lemke Brockemeier (a twin to Harley Dean); grandson, Mark Lemke; great-grandchildren, Amy Anderson and Christopher Plummer; great-great-grandchildren, Katie Holbrook and Jacob Kreikemeier; 12 brothers and sisters, Floyd Larson, Harry, Emil, Walfred, Oscar, Irving, and Clarence Johnson, Myrtle (Mrs. Oscar) Erickson, Dora (Mrs. Sakel) Johnson, Mayme (Mrs. Chas.) Fulton, Inez Johnson and Grace (Mrs. Lloyd) Camp.

Memorials are suggested to Oakland Heights or to the family.

Pelan Funeral Services in Oakland is in charge of arrangements.