Irene E. (Renie) Ferkel Byers Wolf, 94, of Fremont, OH died Tuesday, February 28, 2017, surrounded by her loving family. She will now be at rest without cares or pain until she is called by her Lord and Savior at his coming.
Renie was born May 17, 1922 on the family farm in Clyde, Ohio, the youngest of nine surviving children of William and Emma (Young) Ferkel. She attended Chippewa one-room school in Clyde and graduated from Clyde High School in 1939. Renie was first married to Omer Byers until he was fatally wounded in Anzio, Italy, March 4, 1944 during WWII. Renie married William E. (Bill) Wolf on January 25, 1947 at St. Mark Lutheran Church. Bill died April 30, 2013 at age of 97 and after 66 years of marriage.
Renie was the supervisor of the shipping office and the first female supervisor at the H.J. Heinz Company, Fremont until her retirement in 1987. She was a faithful member of St. Mark Lutheran where she sang soprano in the choir, taught Sunday School, served as director of funeral lunches, and director of Lutheran World Relief for many years. She was a volunteer for Sandusky County Food Pantry, Sandusky County Historical Society and Lutheran Social Services. Renie loved to crochet and made hundreds of sweaters and blankets for Lutheran World Relief. Renie was always busy, usually doing something for someone else. She loved to travel with Bill, seeing all but one of the fifty states, many ocean cruises, Europe and Russia. Her true joy and commitment was her family and faith.
Renie was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, sisters: Ruth Parman of Huron, Esther Linder of Fremont, Wilma Schmidlin of California, brothers: Laurence Ferkel of Tiffin, Walter and Ralph Ferkel of Clyde, Clarence and Raymond Ferkel of California, and infant brother Howard.
Surviving are children Marsha (William) Markham of Roswell, GA, Mark (Diane) Wolf of Knoxville, TN, and Margaret Wolf of Fremont. Also surviving are 4 step grandchildren and 6 step great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Thank you to Sue Timmons, a special friend of Renie’s and the family, for her constant love and support. Thank you to the loving and caring staff of Pristine Senior Living in Fremont and ProMedica Hospice.
Services will be Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 2:00 at St. Mark Lutheran, 902 E. State St, Fremont, with one hour visitation and fellowship before the service, Pastor Scott Mauch officiating. Burial will take place at McPherson Cemetery in Clyde, OH.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mark Lutheran Church, Sandusky County Food Pantry, or Sandusky County Historical Society.
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Danielle McClory
I grew up attending St. Mark Lutheran Church and Renie had always been part of my church life. Her outgoing nature and always making sure she spoke to me and my children. My parents, Joyce and Cecil Edwards, always thought highly and always asked me how she & your Dad were.
Her obituary was so interesting and it is nice to know she lived a full happy life.
My condolences to you all.
Marybeth & Michael Bittel
For Mark, Marsha, Margaret and the entire family …
We have been blessed over the years to hear wonderful things about Renie; and blessed further still that her wonderful son Mark became part of our family when he married my Aunt Diane. We are so grateful that Renie enjoyed 65+ years of marriage and a long, faithful, fulfilling life surrounded by those she loved. Our most heartfelt condolences to everyone who knew her. It must be so difficult to say goodbye to someone who shimmered so brightly. But we trust that her spirit shines on, surrounded by grace notes, patiently waiting until you can all be reunited again.
Diana Ward
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Renie. She lived a wonderful and full life. She will be missed by many. I am sure when she entered heaven she was welcomed with “Well done, good and faithful servant!” May God bless and comfort all of you on this very sad loss.