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- Francis E. Rentmeester, 92, Allouez resident, died Friday, Aug. 5, 2011, at the Jack and Engrid Meng Unity Hospice residence. He was born Feb. 12, 1919 ,in Green Bay, to the late Peter and Kate (Heyrman) Rentmeester. Francis served in the U.S. Army during WWII from Aug. of 1941, until his honorable discharge in July of 1945. While serving his country, Francis received numerous commendations. He married the former Elizabeth Coenen on Sept. 2, 1948, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in De Pere.
Francis was self-employed as a homebuilder in Brown County and Sarasota County, Fla., until his retirement. He volunteered his time and talents at St. Vincent DePaul Society in Sarasota, and enjoyed fishing in Florida every day he was there. His green thumb led to bountiful gardens in Green Bay and Florida as well as numerous fruit trees. He may be most remembered for his booyah making skill. He loved preparing and cooking and then inviting everyone over to share in his labors. When it came to booyah, Francis was the Master. He was a member of St. Mary of the Angels Parish for many years as well as St. Martha's Parish in Sarasota.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; and their six children, Carol (Wes) DeGrand,Grace (Glen) Gore, all of Green Bay; Gloria (Rod) MacDonald, Lakeland, Fla.; Janet (Beaver) Miller, Port St. Lucie, Fla.; Wayne (Jane) Rentmeester, Sarasota, Fla.; and Paul (Lori) Rentmeester, Green Bay; 21 grandchildren, Jason (Steph) Coisman, Chris (Rhonda) Coisman, Amber Coisman, Tyler DeGrand and fiancee, Ellen, Gina (Mike) Jensen, Geri (Danny) Greene, Greg Gore, Ashley Miller and Oscar, Tiffany Miller and Cory, Danielle (Mark) Niefeld, Jacqui Rentmeester, Jon Rentmeester, Madeline Rentmeester, Jesse, Jamie, Jerod and Janielle MacDonald, Missy (Dave) Hageness, Nicole Rentmeester, Matt Rentmeester and Shawn Rentmeester; 19 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Marvin (Myrtle) Rentmeester and Fabian (Enola) Rentmeester, all Green Bay; two brothers-in-law, Harold (Nancy) Coenen, Appleton; Gerald Coenen, Little Chute.
He was preceded in death by one son, Dale Rentmeester; two brothers, Clem Rentmeester and Ralph Rentmeester; one brother-in-law, Clarence Coenen; two sisters-in-law, Rita Coenen and Eunice Coenen; and Elizabeth's parents, Henry and Mary Coenen.
Friends may call at St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church, corner of Cass and Irwin Sts., after 9 a.m. Tuesday until the time of Mass. Mass of Christian Burial 11:30 a.m. at the church with the Rev. Larry Canavera officiating. Entombment in the Allouez Chapel Mausoleum. Online condolences may be sent to the Rentmeester family at www.prokowall.com.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a memorial fund has been established in Francis' memory.
Francis' family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the nurses and staff of Unity Hospice, the doctor's, nurses and staff of St. Vincent Hospital and his very special home caregivers, Deb, Barb, Cathy, Cordy and a special thank you to his daughter-in-law, Jane. Their care and consideration will always be remembered.
Published in Green Bay Press-Gazette on August 7, 2011
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