RENZ
Nolan Lee Renz, 88, of Cat Spring, passed away peacefully at his home in Cat Spring Dec. 13 with his wife and family by his side. He was born at home on a farm in Colorado County April 24, 1931, the third child of Charles and Hertha (Caletka) Renz.
He attend Willow School. He and his siblings helped with chores at home while growing up. After Nolan graduated from Eagle Lake High School, he worked alongside his father, who taught him his hard work ethic and core values of dependability, honesty and good humor working on the family farm.
He later served in the army for two years at Fort Bliss in El Paso. After he was honorably discharged, he returned back home and eventually took over the family farm. For fun he liked to go dancing, and with his love for polka music, he attended dances at the Bill Mraz Dance Hall in Houston where he met his sweetheart, Carolyn. They married in the Advent Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas Oct. 22, 1967. He built the house that they still live in today. Together, they started a family. As a means for providing for his family, he farmed various crops and raised cattle.
Nolan enjoyed working on anything mechanical, being part of a local CB radio club and building model airplanes with his son, Steven. He enjoyed aviation where he and his long-time friend Dale Koehn purchased their first plane and then acquired their pilot’s license! Many hours were spent maintaining the aircraft and flying together. Occasionally their families traveled with them to different places.
Nolan was a longtime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbus. He was a wonderful and loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend who will be missed by all who loved, respected and knew him.
His parents, Charles and Hertha Renz, and sisters Olinda Mae Mc-Lain and Elleen Ann Chapman, preceded him in death.
Nolan is survived by his loving wife Carolyn Renz; daughter Pamela Vasquez and husband Joe; daughter Kristi Booker and husband Mike; Steven Renz and wife Tanya and sister-in-law Betty Burns.
He is also survived by grandchildren Trenton and Madelyn Beckner, Katelyn and McKenna Booker and Rendi, Hannah and Sabree Renz, Monica and Marissa Vasquez, nieces Natalie McLain, Danna Wessels Noble and wife Nancy Noble, Terri Coburn and husband Todd, nephews Michael Nelson and Rusty McLain.
Funeral service was Wednesday, Dec. 18 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbus, with Pastor Alan Kethan, Pastor John Hunsicker and Sandy Fletcher officiating. Visitation was Tuesday, Dec. 17 at Henneke Funeral Home, and at church Wednesday.
Pallbearers are Dale Koehn, Wilfred Krause, Trenton Beckner, James Booker, Michael Nelson, Rusty McLain, Charlie Vasut and James Zalmanek.
Donations can be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 267, Columbus, Texas 78934, God’s Corner Store, 1010 Milam, Columbus, Texas 78934 or the charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome.com.