Raymond Henry Renner was born on August 12, 1922 at his grandparents' home in Crete. He was the second child of six born to August and Marie (Fangmeier) Renner. Ray was baptized and confirmed in St. John's Lutheran Church in Kramer, Nebraska, and was a life-long member of St. John's and the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Crete.
Ray was raised on the family farm. He attended St. John's Lutheran School through the eighth grade; he graduated from Crete High School in 1940. While in high school and after graduation, Ray worked at Table Supply Grocery. He took courses at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
He enlisted and served in the U.S. Army, Signal Corp from 1942-1945 during World War II. Ray and Grace Lenore Jack of Dorchester, NE were married in Tampa, Florida on December 28, 1943. Ray and Lenore would return to Nebraska to make their home in Lincoln. It is there that the first of three daughters would be born: Carol, Linda and Teresa (Tracy).
Ray worked as a billing clerk and route salesman for Gamble Robinson Fruit and Vegetable Company for ten years. During this time the family would relocate to Fairbury, NE and then Fremont, NE. In 1955 they moved from Fremont to Crete where he served as the area State Farm Insurance agent until his retirement in 1988.
His hobbies and interests included playing softball, horse racing, playing pool, skeet shooting, fishing and hunting, golf, playing cards, and Nebraska football. He was very civic-minded and served Crete as its mayor for two terms. He was a member of the Crete Housing Authority for 32 years, a charter member of the Crete Sertoma Club, a member of Izaak Walton, Crete Chamber of Commerce, Eagles Club, American Legion Post #0147, a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, and retired from service as a Crete volunteer fireman.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers (Melvin and Eldon), two sisters (Esther Cudly and Eleanor Rotthaus) and son-in-law (Bruce Turner). His survivors include his wife of 72 years, Lenore; daughters and spouses (Carol Turner of Surprise, AZ, Linda and Richard Moody of Auburn, NE, Tracy and Shane Smith of Lincoln, NE); eight grandchildren and spouses (Jeff Turner, Lisa and Michael Hale, Brian and Sara Moody, Alex, Holly, and Brant Nutter, Morgan and Tyler Smith); six great grandchildren (Jordan, Kathryn and Elizabeth Hale, and Trace, Kellen and Burke Moody); brother and sister-in-law (Robert and JoAnn); brother-in-law (Harry Rotthaus); sister-in-law (Joan Renner); nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
Services will be held Monday (6-20-2016) at 2:00 pm, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Crete. Visitation with family present will be on Sunday from 2 - 5 pm, Kuncl Funeral Home, Crete. Interment: Riverside Cemetery, Crete. Memorials can be given to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, The Arbors, or Tabitha Hospice.