Rena Berens

Rena Augusta (Datterl) Berens passed away at the Dunlap Care Center, in Dunlap Iowa Friday July 25, 2008, at the age of 100 years old. She was born Nov 25, 1907, near Dow City, Iowa, to John and Lucy Annette (Robinson) Datterl. She attended country school in the Paradise Township Area of Crawford County. When Rena was about 10 years old she, her mother and father, and one brother John, moved to Weldon, Texas. Her mother died when Rena was 12 years old. Rena and the family returned to Crawford County, Iowa after the death of her mother, where she and her father worked for Mr. and Mrs. Plato Dunham of Dunlap. Rena married Henry L. Berens, September 10, 1928, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Dunlap. The couple was blessed with six children. They lived on their farm in Boyer Township, Crawford County for all their married life until Henry passed away in 1955. After Henry's death, Rena and her youngest daughter moved into the town of Dunlap and later Rena moved to Senior Housing in Dunlap.

Rena was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Alter Society, and the Care Center Auxiliary

Rena was preceded in death by her husband Henry L. Berens; son, Howard P. Berens; grandson, Howard Michael Berens; sister, Stella Mae Gorden; and two brothers Andrew and John Datterl. She is survived by three sons, John (Jack) and wife Darleen of Huntington Beach, California; Joe Berens of Dow City, Iowa; Ed Berens and wife Meridel of Dunlap, Iowa; two daughters Pauline and husband Don Schmitz of Dedham, Iowa and Helen and husband Roger Houston of Dow City, Iowa; daughter-in-law Sue Berens of Scottsdale, Arizona; 16 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 am Wednesday, July 30, 2008
St. Patrick's Catholic Church ~ Dunlap, Iowa

Celebrants
Rev. Don Slavin, Rev. James Kleffman &
Deacon Marvin Klein

Musicians
Marilyn Grote & Kayla Schmitz

Pall Bearers
Mark Schmitz ~ Gary Schmitz ~ Joe Houston
Alan Schmitz ~ Jayne Schaben ~ Kathleen Hofmann
David Schmitz ~ Crystal Parkis ~ Marie Lipot
Danny Schmitz ~ Jon Berens ~ Matt Berens
Polly Schmitz ~ Brad Berens ~ Paul Berens
Jackie Barry

Final Resting Place
Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Dunlap, Iowa