The Henry William Renken Sr. Home Page
The Henry William Renken Sr. Home PageUpdated March 14, 2008 | Rodney A. Renken 74167 RD 437 Bertrand,NE 68927 A-United States (308) 472-5242 |
| Hi! I'm just starting to research the RENKEN family tree.What a challenge! Henry William Renken married Magdalena Hornbostel in Hanover, Germany - 1882.They had nine children, five which died in infancy.They came to America in 1885 settling in Otoe County, Nebraska.In 1892 they moved to Gosper County, Nebraska and lived on the farm until the year 1917, at which time they retired and moved to Bertrand, Nebraska.Their children were Henry Renken Jr., Otto Renken, Louie Renken and Emma (Carstens) Renken. The Stehl-Renken Wedding A beautiful wedding took place Wednesday, January 20, 1909 at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. P.W. Stehl, at 11 o'clock a.m., when Mr. Henry W. Renken Jr. and Miss Elizabeth "Lizzie " Stehl were united in marriage. The ceremony was performed at the German church by Rev. Wm. Schumacher.William L. Stehl, brother of the bride, played the wedding march.Misses Emma Renken and Katie Winheim were bridesmaids and Messrs. Henry Stehl and Otto Renken were groomsmen.The bride was dressed in light blue satin, trimmed with white, and the groom in black.The bridesmaids wore light blue silk, trimmed with white and the groomsmen wore black. After the ceremony congratulations were extended by a large crowd of relatives who were present, the wedding party was then taken to the home of the bride's parents in an automobile by Geo. Payn of Bertrand.The house was decorated in blue and white, with the weding bell hanging over the table at which the wedding party ate.Dinner was served at one o'clock and after dinner the wedding party was taken to Bertrand in the auto, which was gaily bedecked with blue and white ribbons and flowers, to have their pictures taken, after which they returned home. Many beautiful presents were given the young couple.At eight p.m. a large charivari crowd arrived and made a splendid noise, for which they were well treated.The night was spent in playing interesting games of all kinds, the old folks enjoying singing, talking and telling stories.At daybreak the guests went home, wishing the young couple a long and happy life. Mr. Renken has a nice home ready for his bride three miles northeast of Smithfield, which was completed last week by John Waldheim and Aug. Krubeck.They will take possession of it next week, and make it their future home.A Guest. Henry W. Renken Jr. and Elizabeth (Stehl) Renken had five children with one dying in infancy.Rosa (VonLoh) Renken, Laura (Bredenkamp) Renken, William Henry Renken, and Freddie Otto Renken. William "Bill" Renken was drafted into the Army on July 9,1941.He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 148th Idaho Field Artillery, HQ Battery. He served as a truck driver/mechanic for 43 monthes in the East Indies; Australia; Arawe, New Britian; Aitape, New Guinea; Leyte and Luzon, Phillipines.He was honorably discharged on Aug 6th, 1945. An excellent accounting of his outfit's World War 2 experiences can be found at these web sites: Operation Plum, Sparrow Force, Darwin Harbor Attack http://www.military.com/Content/MoreContent?file=PRpensacola 112th Regimental Combat Team (112th Cavalry & 148th FA) http://www.kwanah.com/txmilmus/112th.htm The Leavenworth Papers; Defending the Driniumor http://www-cgsc.army.mil/carl/CSIPUBS/Drea/DREA.HTML Luzon http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/brochures/luzon/72-28.htm History has forgotten these important battles.I think that's a shame. Bill returned to farming after the war.He bought the family farm upon his father's death and rented farmland from Kenneth and Lillian Cramer.He married Bernadine Lilyhorn on Sept 24, 1955 in the Hope Lutheran Church.They had 4 children.Ralph, Rodney, Russell, and Wilma Jean.Bill enjoyed traveling, camping, and fishing.He died in 1982 but he sure enjoyed life to the fullest while he was here! | |