Elizabeth "Libby" Renner

Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Renner passed away peacefully on Monday, April 27, 2015 at Lakeview Health Center in West Salem, with her daughter Heather by her side. Libby was born on October 24, 1923 in Bedford, VA to Samuel and Mamie (Fitzgerald) Worley. She attended school in Mt. Vale, VA and later she moved with her mother to Basking Ridge, NJ where she finished high school. After high school she worked for a while in NJ. In 1944 she enlisted in the U.S. Army/Air Corps. Her basic training was in Camp Oglethorpe, Baltimore, MD. Libby was stationed at various times in Kansas, California, New Mexico and New York where she received an Honorable Discharge in 1946. She then worked for a time in Newark, NJ. In 1947 she was introduced to Ted Henry Renner of La Crosse, WI. They were married May 21, 1949 in Millington, NJ. Libby and Ted moved to La Crosse where they both joined the family floral business, located at Fifth & Main. Libby discovered a talent for floral design. She and Ted successfully ran this business until 1971. They then managed La Crosse Floral for a few years before opening a floral shop in the newly built Radisson Hotel. After the Radisson, Libby continued to work at various floral shops in La Crosse before retiring in 1992. Libby enjoyed life to the fullest with friends and family. The staff at Lakeview always said she must have been a real spit-fire. She was generous and kind. Her floral design talent was so special. She loved animals, having had many dogs in her life.
Libby is survived by her daughter Heather (Sam) Sayles of La Crosse, three granddaughters Stacy (Bret) Norman of Hudson, WI, Erin Sayles of Minneapolis, MN and Jamey (Ben) Floreck of Hudson, WI, five great grandchildren Alan, Ella, Ted Norman and Sam, Henry Floreck. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Ted on June 28, 2004.
A special thanks and deep appreciation to all the staff at Lakeview Health Center. They made Libby safe and comfortable, with kindness and gentleness and made her last days peaceful.
Private memorial services will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at the Schumacher – Kish Funeral & Cremation Services, La Crosse Chapel. Pastor Harald Bringsjord will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow in the Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Lakeview Health Center, West Salem or the Boys & Girls Club of La Crosse.