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  Renelda “Renie” Janette (Hess) Sather of Hackensack, MN, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2024.

   Renelda, whom many knew as Renie, was born November 1, 1939 in a small house in the country between Kingston and Kimball MN, to Raymond and Frances (Ferguson) Hess.  She briefly lived in Litchfield MN before moving to Minneapolis in 1942. She attended Willard Grade School, Lincoln Junior High and Minneapolis North High School, graduating in 1957. She was a member of the Honor Society and a Girls State representative. In 1961 she graduated with high honors from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology, and started working in the Diagnostic Microbiology Department at University Hospital.

   Renie met her future husband Don in 1963 while he was recruiting for the Naval Air Reserve in Minneapolis. They married at her home church, Messiah Lutheran in Minneapolis on June 20, 1964. While living in Minneapolis, she worked at Methodist Hospital. Her career as a Medical Technologist gave her employment opportunities while she and Don moved around the Midwest - from Minneapolis to Sioux Falls SD, Willmar MN, back to Minneapolis, Granite Falls MN, Watertown MN, Bismarck ND, and Chanhassen MN. She worked at numerous clinics and hospitals throughout their moves, and retired after working 20 years at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia MN.

   She and Don purchased a little cabin with acreage on a lake near Hackensack MN in 1966 and always talked about moving there permanently. Upon retirement in 2002, they made that dream a reality and built a new home overlooking the lakes, woods and original cabin. They always had a huge garden, from which she canned many jars of vegetables every year.  She made raspberry jelly and syrup from the wild berries she picked, and she and Don learned to make maple syrup from their trees. She enjoyed feeding birds, especially her beloved hummingbirds, and taking rides in the side-by-side to see what wildlife was active in the woods.   

   Renie and Don were blessed with three sons: Todd (Joelle), Troy (Heather-deceased), and Steven;  and four grandchildren Lauren, Cole, Lan, and Leia. She adored her grandchildren, and kept busy following their school and athletic activities. 

   She had two brothers - Sheldon Hess (deceased) and Gordon (Pat) Hess, and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

   Renie was a Cub Scout Den Mother, a Sunday School Teacher, active in church Womens’ groups, a Library Board member, School curriculum committee member, an American Legion Auxiliary member, the first woman elected to their church council in Watertown, a member of the Birch Lake Township board, and belonged to several quilt groups. She enjoyed baking, word & number puzzles, and loved crafts of all kinds: quilting, sewing, knitting and embroidery.  She shared her love of quilting by gifting many quilts to family members, churches and charities over the years. While many were hand-sewn, she also enjoyed using her long-arm quilting machine that took up most of her quilting room.

   She loved to travel, visiting Key West and the World’s Fair in Seattle in her 20‘s.  She & Don took many trips together over the years. They did not over-plan their trips, instead enjoying the roads less-traveled and letting the days unfold as they went. Their trips included touring Australia by car, and driving through Europe exploring the sites of England, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. They also toured Alaska in an RV, took several trips to Hawaii, and made numerous trips into Canada to fish and sight-see. Together, she and Don ultimately visited 48 of the 50 United States. 

   Renie wished to be laid to rest on a beautiful summer day. Services will be held on Saturday, June 22 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Nelson, MN.  Visitation at 10:00 a.m., service at 11:00 a.m.. Interment will follow at the Nelson Cemetery. After the services, lunch will be provided at Our Saviour’s.  Memorial donations will be made to Camp Knutson in Crosslake, MN, a camp for children with special needs.

   Renie had an impact on the lives of everyone she met, and will be dearly missed.

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