Dennis Keith Rens

Dennis Keith Rens, 86, of Newberry, widower of Rita Mellett Rens, died Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Prisma Health Richland Hospital.

Born on June 18, 1936 in a farmhouse in Boyden, IA, he was a son of the late Cornelius and Gertrude Bossman Rens. The family later moved to Correl, MN when he was 12 years old. He graduated from Appleton High School in 1954.

He started driving a truck and had various jobs traveling the East Coast. He eventually retired from Orion Enterprises at 62 years old and then worked another 14 years for CHS Eastern Farmers in Chancellor, SD.

In 1963, he married the love of his life, Rita. They were married for 54 years. They moved to Lennox, SD in 1972 where they raised their family. Denny and Rita moved to Stuart, FL in July 2016. His beloved Rita passed away in December of that year.

He moved to Newberry, SC in 2019 and made wonderful new friends at the Springfield Independent Living Facility and within Aveleigh Presbyterian Church.

Denny served in the Minnesota Army National Guard. He was a proud member and Mason of the El Riad Shrine in Parker, SD. He was honored to be able drive the van on many occasions, taking children and their families to the Children's Hospital in Minneapolis.

He was also a member of the Lennox Lions and Lennox Legion Auxiliary. He served on the Lennox City Council and was an active member in the Lennox Ebenezer Presbyterian Church serving as a Deacon for many years.

His greatest joys were his children and grandchildren.

Grateful for having shared his life are Julie (Ron) Blair of Palm City, FL, Lisa (Andy) Crumpton of Prosperity, and Melissa Rens of Indian Land; sisters, Karon Poole and Leila Walker both of Asheboro, NC; a son-in-law, John Peterson; grandchildren, Jessica Peterson, Brock Peterson, Jordan Blair, Erin Blair, Cassidy Blair, Ivy Crumpton, Gabriel Crumpton, and Rita Crumpton.

He was predeceased by his wife, Rita, his daughter, Denise Peterson, and siblings, Margaret Talbot, Gladys Dalen, Lloyd Rens, Bernard Rens, Cory Rens, and Roger Rens.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at at later date where his last wish will be carried out.. “my ashes placed loose on the tailgate of a pickup truck and driven down the road blowing my ashes away.”

Memorials may be made to El Riad Shrine Club, P.O. Box 1203, Sioux Falls, S.D. 57104-6825 or to Aveleigh Fellowship of Presbyterians, 1211 Calhoun Street, Newberry SC 29108.