Michael Joe Renken

Michael Joe Renken, 79, of La Crosse, passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, December 21, 2023. He was born on October 1, 1944 in Haywarden, IA to Heinz and Helene (Anderson) Renken. He graduated from Ivanhoe High School in Ivanhoe, MN in 1961 and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD in 1965 at the age of 20. Following graduation, he moved to La Crosse to work at Trane Company, where he worked for 42 ½ years.
Mike met the love of his life, Cynthia Noble, as teenagers. They married on August 6, 1966 in Edina, MN at Normandale Lutheran Church. They moved to the farm in Chaseburg, WI in 1968 where they resided for fifty years and raised their family before moving to La Crosse. Farming stayed in his heart always. He loved driving tractors and tinkering, as long as it was a John Deere.
Mike’s pride and joy were his daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was always the first to brag about their achievements. Mike and Cindy fostered 2 boys for five years. They were 4H leaders, robotic mentors, Giving Hearts Choir members and enjoyed ballroom dancing. Mike was also a member of the Oktoberfest singers.
Diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in October of 2014 at the age of 70, Mike fought valiantly to battle the disease by doing wooden puzzles and being an active member of Giving Hearts Choir.
Mike is survived by his wife of 57 years, Cynthia (Noble) Renken, his daughters, Michelle Bell of La Crosse, Margaret (Jacob) Manke of Onalaska, and Clarissa (Alejandro Gonzalez) Renken of Wausau, WI, grandchildren, Amanda Bell, Cassandra (Garret) Johnson, Zachary Mulder, Mollie Manke, AJ, Elsy, and Owen Gonzalez, great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Willow Johnson, brothers, Terry (Norma) Renken of Arco, MN, Ronald (Jeanie) Renken of Lakeland, MN, sister Mary (Mike) Borman of Aurora, CO, sister-in-law Carol Renken of Arco, MN, brother-in-law Patrick Longtin of Genoa, NE, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and an abundance of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Dennis Renken, a sister Kathy Renken, father and mother-in-law, Harvey and Wilma Noble, brother-in-law Greg Noble, sister-in-law Jewel Noble and his grandparents.
Mike’s family would like to thank the many caregivers and Gundersen Hospice.
A Memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church, La Crosse. Pastor Andrew Franzo will officiate. Burial will follow in the Woodlawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Services of La Crosse on Tuesday from 4:00 – 7:00 PM and at the church on Wednesday from 9:00 AM until the time of services. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Coulee Region Giving Hearts Choir, PO Box 443, Onalaska, WI 54650, or Luther High School Robotics, 1501 Wilson Street, Onalaska, WI 54650. Online guestbook is available at www.schumacher-kish.com.