Leland Rensink

Leland Rensink, 87, of Boyden, IA died Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at the Avera Behavioral Health Center in Sioux Falls, SD. A visitation will be held Monday from 4-8PM with the family present from 6-8PM at the First Reformed Church of Boyden. A funeral service will be held Tuesday at 10:30AM at the First Reformed Church of Boyden with Rev. Chuck Asche and Rev. Brenda Stobbe officiating. Interment will follow the service in Sheridan Township Cemetery of Boyden. The Rensink family prefer memorials be directed to the First Reformed Church of Boyden. Leland William Rensink was born December 18, 1924 to Leonard and Iva (Stoehr) Rensink on the family farm 2 miles north of Boyden, Iowa, the second of 4 children. While the family had its roots in the First Reformed Church in Boyden, they attended the Reformed church in Matlock during his early years so his mother could attend English speaking services. He and his mother and siblings were baptized there on June 24, 1928. The family returned to its roots in Boyden First Reformed in 1930, where Lee later confessed his faith in Christ and became a lifetime member. Lee volunteered for military service during WW2. He was separated from his unit due to a case of the mumps and victory in Europe was declared before he was able to see action. He was then given orders to combat in the Pacific, but before he left Europe, victory was declared there as well. He served out his time as Military Police in Paris and had some colorful stories to tell about that experience. After the war he realized his dream to return to the family farm and revived the family dairy business. Lee married the beautiful Annabelle Baker in 1949. They were blessed with seven children, 28 grandchildren, and 26 great grandchildren. They went on to farm the land and build a herd of registered Holsteins and sold breeding stock for many years. Dad loved to work with others including his father, hired hands, neighbors, business partners, relatives, his children and their friends. Lee and Annabelle welcomed many of these folks into their home for meals and "coffee time". He inherited his love of music from his mother and passed it on to his children. He was active in church choirs, Easter Cantata, and directed the Sunday School children for a time. He also served as Elder in the Boyden church and on various coop and nonprofit boards. His devotion to his ailing wife in her final years was deep and strong. He cared for her at their home in Boyden until four months before her death in 2006. While his memory failed in his final years, his physical health and positive spirit remained strong and were an inspiration to family and caregivers. Lee will be remembered for his steadfast faith in Christ, his love of family, his physical strength, his generosity, his positive spirit, and a smile and a wink. Those left to cherish his memory are Leslie and Mary (Buller) Rensink of Freeman, SD; Brenda and Gary Stobbe of Manchester, MO; Rodney and Sheryl (Bootsma) Rensink of Boyden, IA; Beverly and David Rens of Hull, IA; Jackie and Leland Jiskoot of Boyden, IA; Sheri and Laverle Stratman of Little Rock, IA; and Kelly and John Blok of Brandon, SD; 28 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; one sister, Anona Boone of Claremore, OK; sisters-in-law, Marge Kroon and her husband Bill of Hampton, IA, and Wilma Baker of Sioux Center, IA; and many nieces and nephews. Lee was preceded in death by his wife, Annabelle; an infant granddaughter, Ruth Rensink, his parents, two brothers and sisters-in-law, Leonard Jr. and Ada Rensink and Wendell and Caroline Rensink; brothers-in-law, Frank Elliot, Mike Baker, Henry Baker, and Henry's wife Bernice.