Gale Ann Renz, loving and devoted wife, sister, mother and grandmother left this earth on April 21, to appreciate her eternal life in heaven. The oldest of ten children, Gale was born on May 3, 1956, and spent her childhood and youth in Woodbine where she developed a love for animals, nature, and served as a wonderful teacher and caretaker to her siblings.
Gale married her high school sweetheart, John, and they remained in Woodbine where they raised their two children. Gale was a true entrepreneur and active member of the community. For several years, she owned and operated a local salon on main street and ran a successful Great Dane dog breeding business. After her youngest child started college she began her pursuit of her life-long passion to teach, earning her degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2003 (graduating the day before her son's college graduation). She then taught special education for several years in Missouri Valley where she was beloved by her students.
Gale will be most remembered for her true devotion to her family, which are values she instilled in her children and grandchildren. Gale was a special soul, with her faith serving as the cornerstone of who she was and what guided her through life. She was always putting others before herself and loved to shower family, friends, and even strangers with gifts she thought they would enjoy. The light of her life were her four grandchildren who all inherited her blue eyes and caring heart and dearly loved their Grandma Gale.
Gale was preceded in death by her father, Mike Sandbothe; mother, Jean Smith; and a grandchild, baby Lapke. She is survived by her husband, John of Woodbine; her daughter and son-in-law, Jamie and Tim Lapke of Logan; her son and daughter-in-law, Brandon and Kate Renz of Alexandria, Va.; her siblings, Tony Sandbothe, Mickey Litner, Theresa Fjeld, Robin Khan, Eric Sandbothe, Becky Hinze, Toby Sandbothe, Holly (Sandbothe) Smith, and Michael Sandbothe; step-father, Gene Smith and his wife Loraine of Whiting; her many nieces and nephews; and her four most precious assets that she loved more than anything in the world, her grandchildren Augustus, Aubrey, Cole, and Hunter.
A memorial service was held on Monday, April 26, 2021, at Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine. Elder Gene Smith presided over the service with remembrances being shared by Hank Gruver. The recorded musical selections were “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me, “You Raise Me Up” by Selah and “This Good Day” by Fernando Ortega. Gale’s final resting place is at the Woodbine Cemetery.
Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine was in charge of arrangements. www.foutsfuneralhome.com
