Harris I. Rennecke

Obituary

Harris Irvin Rennecke was born on January 1, 1933, in Penn Township, Minnesota. He was the son of Otto and Emma (Bulau) Rennecke. Harris was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in his faith as a youth, both at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton, Minnesota. He received his education through the eighth grade at section 13 country school in Round Grove Township, Minnesota.

On August 29, 1953, Harris was united in marriage to Delores Meier at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stewart, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with five children: Diane, Carol, Jeanice, Eileen, and Wayne. Harris and Delores resided on the family farm in Penn Township and later made their home in Brownton. They shared 70 years of marriage.

Harris was a proud lifelong farmer. He bought the family farm after his mother moved to Brownton. Harris also worked part time at Miller, Miller and Mac doing construction at 3M as well as part time at the Creamery in Glencoe, Minnesota. He hauled livestock for Milton Naab with New Auburn Shipping Association and also hauled peas and corn for Seneca in Glencoe. Harris and Delores sold the century farm to their son, Wayne and moved to Brownton. While living in town, Harris worked with the county plowing snow in the winter, and in the summer, he loved to help Wayne on the farm. He was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton.

Harris had a witty sense of humor and always had a joke to tell. He enjoyed fishing, listening to old time music, dancing, playing the guitar and writing his own songs. Harris also enjoyed playing cards and traveling with Delores and friends. Harris loved his family more than anything and would call each of his children every day. Getting the entire family together was one of his favorite things to do, especially on his birthday.

Harris passed away on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at Hutchinson Health in Hutchinson, Minnesota, at the age of 91 years.

Blessed be his memory.

Harris is survived by his:
Wife, Delores Rennecke of Brownton, MN;
Children, Diane Klinkner and her husband, Dave, of Stewart, MN,
Carol Mellies and her husband, Les, of Stewart, MN,
Jeanice Farenbaugh and her husband, Glenn, of Brownton, MN,
Eileen Suter and her husband, Butch, of De Graff, MN,
Wayne Rennecke and Lori Korson, of Brownton, MN;
Grandchildren, Rick (Jen) Klinkner, Raquel Klinkner, Jaclyn (Jack) Fitzwater, Preston Klinkner, Josh (Tara Cruz) Klinkner, Shannon McDonnell, Jess (Matt) Kutz, Jim (Lexy) Mellies, Steph (Dave) Fox, Kellsie (Brad) Weber, Jim Farenbaugh, Jake (Cassie) Suter, Laura (Eric) Loen, Connor Rennecke, Dylan Rennecke, Tylor Johnson, Justin Korson;
26 Great-grandchildren;
4 Great-great-granddaughters;
many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Harris is preceded in death by his Parents, Otto and Emma Rennecke; Brothers, Howard Rennecke, Victor (Vicki) Rennecke; Sisters, Marcella (Vernon) Cohrs, Luella (Buster Dawson) – (Bob) Pearl, Dolores (Ellsworth) Bartels, Vera (Milo) Wacker; Nephews, Delano Wacker, Gary Dawson; Nieces, Jolene Wacker, Karen Kadelbach and Jill Finnegan; Parents-in-law, Gustav and Emma (Rannow) Meier; Brothers-in-law, Arnold (Elsie) Meier, Art (Lourine) Meier, Delmar (Lorraine) Meier, Harold (Ruth) Meier, Floyd (Ramona) Meier.