Obituary of James K. Renken

James K. Renken, age 81 of Yankton and formerly of Sturgis, SD passed away Sunday, October 25, 2015 at his residence. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Friday, October 30, 2015 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, SD with Rev. Dani Jo Ninke officiating. Burial will be in the Yankton Cemetery, Yankton, SD with military graveside rites by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791 Honor Guard, Yankton and the Ellsworth AFB Honor Guard, Ellsworth, SD. Visitations will 6 to 8 PM, Thursday, October 29, 2015 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD and then one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. James was born December 31, 1933 in Freda, ND, the son of Dick and Johanna (Hemmelrich) Renken. He was raised and educated in the area. He helped his brother with farming until he was drafted into the Army in August 1954, transferred into the Army Air Force and discharged in May 1956. James went back to farming until he married Cecelia Bader on August 22, 1961 in Carson, ND. They moved to Sturgis, SD where a son, Kenneth and a daughter, Linda were born. James worked on the Titan and minute missile sites for several years and after that, he worked for the Forest Service (Spearfish District) on Bark Beetle Control until that job was finished. He then was employed with Meade School District for 23 years as a custodian until his health started to fail. James had a hemorrhagic stroke on January 24, 1993 which left him paralyzed on the right side. He enjoyed riding motorcycles and had owned several through the years. After the stroke, he bought a handicap scooter to get around. James and Cecelia moved to Yankton in 2001 to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law who live in Omaha, NE. James enjoyed driving his handicap scooter, visiting with the neighbors and listening to good old time western music. James is survived by his wife, Cecelia of Yankton, SD; son, Kenneth and granddaughter, Tiffany of Warner Robins, GA; daughter, Linda Patterson and husband, Craig of Omaha, NE; brothers, Dick (Virginia) Renken of Vida, MT; sisters-in-law, Opal Renken of Flasher, ND and Hilda Renken of Mandan, ND and numerous nieces and nephews. James was preceded in death by his parents; 6 sisters: Emma Wadell, Beaulah Elder, Bert Parsons, Peggy Christiansen, Alvina Jerabek and infant sister, Lucille and 5 brothers: Bill, Ed, George, Harry and Herb.