Mary Lou Renz, 84, the only child of Hoyt and Clyde (Close) James, was born on Dec. 29, 1935, in Yellville, Ark. She died Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at Park View Haven Nursing Home, Deshler, Neb.

At the age of four, she moved with her parents to Alexandria. La. She was baptized and confirmed at rural Bethany Lutheran Church, Ruskin, on Jan. 30, 1955, by the Rev. Immanuel Petersen. She attended school in Alexandria receiving her GED thru Superior High School in 1977.

On Feb. 18, 1953, she was united in marriage to Merwyn Dean “Cap” Renz in Wiesbaden, Germany, having met Cap when he was stationed at England Air Force Base in Alexandria, La. They lived in Chaumont, France, until Merwyn’s release from the Air Force in November of 1953, at which time they returned to Ruskin, where Cap was engaged in farming and trucking for many years.

She often remarked they were surely married as it took most of the day for the ceremonies to be completed, being married first in a civil ceremony by the Burgermeister of Wiesbaden in German, then translated into English by his secretary, taking time out for lunch then proceeding to the American Chapel in Wiesbaden where they were married in a religious ceremony by an Air Force chaplin.

Mary Lou was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, serving many terms on the church council, she also taught Sunday school for many years.

Three sons were born to this union, Timothy Dean, Danny James, and Scott Christian.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hoyt and Clyde (Close) James; parents-in-law, Ebel C.H. “Dick” and Hazel Renz; her husband, Merwyn D. “Cap” Renz on April 22, 2015; brother- in-law, Berdon “Cork” and Joann Renz; and a special family friend, Kathryn Jo Jenssen.

She is survived by her sons, Tim of Broken Bow, Neb .; Dan and wife, Janet, of Ruskin; and Scott and wife, Carman, of Grand Island; five grandchildren: Cory Renz and wife, Nicole, of Grand Island, Katie Burd and husband, John, of Hebron, Bret Renz and wife, Jess, of Grand Island, Zach Renz and wife, Becky, of Hebron, and Danielle Renz of Ruskin; nine great-grandchildren: Nathan Burd, Madalyn Renz, Kira Renz, Treyton Renz, Harper Renz, Sean Burd, Noah Renz, Gavin Renz, Jacob Enck and Sadie Renz; sister-in-law, Judith Werner; and a special family friend, Susie Wiedel, along with a host of other relatives and friends.

Her funeral will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5, from the Megrue-Price Funeral Home in Superior with Pastor Lori E.L. Kitzing officiating.

Music will be “I The Lord of See and Sky,” “On Eagle’s Wings,” solos by Brad Schultz with Dee Ann Petersen as the organist and recording of “Amazing Grace.”

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Fridaywith family present from 6 to 8 to greet friends.

Pallbearers will be Cory Renz, Bret Renz, Zachary Renz, Clint Werner, Barry Renz, John Burd, Gerald Simonsen and Steve Houtwed. Honorary pallbearers will be Kate Burd, Danielle Renz, Nathan Burd, Madalyn Renz, Kira Renz, Treyton Renz, Harper Renz, Sean Burd, Noah Renz, Gavin Renz, Jacob Enck and Sadie Renz.

Interment will be at 3:15 p.m. in the Spring Creek Cemetery at Ruskin.

Memorials are suggested to go to the family.

Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 or in care of http://www.pricefuneralhomes.com.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior is in charge of the arrangements.