D. Renner

Donald J. Renner, 90, Detroit Lakes, MN died Sunday, January 28, 2018 at his residence surrounded by his family and under care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, February 2 at 1:30pm in Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Detroit Lakes.  Visitation will be held Thursday, February 1 at David Donehower Funeral Home from 5pm-7pm with a 7pm Prayer Service.  Visitation will also continue one hour prior to Mass on Friday.  Interment will be held in Holy Rosary Cemetery.

Donald John Renner, known to many as “John” was born March 30, 1927 in Pelican Rapids, MN the fourth of seven sons to Louis and Francis (Kowalski) Renner.   He attended school in Pelican Rapids and after school he worked for a grain farmer in Wendell, MN and a mink rancher in Pelican Rapids.   In 1946, he moved to Detroit Lakes and worked for Clyde Newman in the mink industry.   While John was working on the mink ranch, he met his future wife, Wilma Newman.   On November 26, 1948 John was united in marriage to Wilma in Detroit Lakes.   John eventually purchased the mink ranch from Clyde where he also raised beef cattle and sheep until he retired.  In his spare time he enjoyed snowmobiling, taking the kids on sleigh rides along with hunting deer and pheasant.   He loved his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren and enjoyed all the activities they were part of.   He was a member of the Lake Region Fur Producers, Minnesota Fur Trappers and Minnesota Pet Breeders Associations.

John is survived by his four sons:  Lyle (Teri) of Detroit Lakes, Larry (Donna) of Hawley, Kyle (Lisa) of Dilworth, Shane (Kim) of Detroit Lakes, four daughters:  Vinita (Ron) Carlson of Lake Park, Linda (Darold Walls) Renner of Jamestown, ND, Michelle (Keith) Sonnenberg of Detroit Lakes and Kimberly (Brett) Hukriede of Detroit Lakes.    In addition he is survived by 25 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild along with two brothers: Gene Renner of Grand Rapids and David Renner of Detroit Lakes.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Wilma (2002), infant daughter, Julie, three grandsons:  Christopher Carlson, Nash Renner and Lucas Hukriede along with four brothers:  Leonard, Robert, James, and Richard (Tubby).