Ida Belle Renken was safely carried into heaven by her Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, May 30, 2024. She was born on September 14,1931 to Carl and Florence Sallstrom in Scottsbluff, NE. Ida Belle was the oldest daughter of 4 children, with 1 older brother, 1 younger brother, and a very special sister. She graduated from high school in 1949. She married Charles Robert “Bob” Renken on February 23,1951 in Scottsbluff, NE. They were blessed with 4 children: Mike of Lamar, CO; David (Carla) of Wenatchee, WA; Doug (Willa) of Kuna, ID; and Shelly (Larry) of Portland, OR. After she had her 4 children, she decided to go back to school to get her teaching degree. With Bob’s support and while raising their 4 children, she started working on a Bachelors Degree in teaching, finishing with a Masters Degree in Education in 1976. She started her teaching career in Scottsbluff, NE and continued it in Chickasha, OK, and in Greeley, CO. Most of her career was spent teaching First Grade students. She left her teaching career when Bob was ready to start traveling in their fifth wheel. They traveled to 48 states, followed the trees turning on the East coast, explored Alaska, and even enjoyed a 3-month adventure in Mexico.
In 1992, they moved from Greeley to the mountain home they had built with their family. They spent many winters traveling around the United States to locate a winter home. Yuma, AZ became their winter home in 2000 when they found a church family at Christ Lutheran Church. They also found a winter family in the mobile home park where they purchased their winter home.
After Bob’s passing in 2012, Ida Belle moved to the Portland area in 2016. She enjoyed living at Courtyard Village for 6 years. In 2022, she moved to Hearthstone of Beaverton, where she enjoyed the last 18 months of her life going to devotions, doing crafts, and sharing her beautiful smile! She also enjoyed learning with her friends in the Encourager’s class at Nexus Church! Ida Belle and Bob enjoyed making a variety of crafts together including purchasing an embroidery machine which provided them the opportunity to create many unique gifts and crafts to share. She was a very caring person with a huge smile, who always wanted to make sure that others had anything they needed. She especially loved babies and puppies!
She is survived by her sister, Norma (Don) Wells, her 4 children, 4 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. She is also survived by 2 sisters-in-law, 2 brothers-in-law and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life service is planned for Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Nexus Church of the Nazarene, 12555 SW 22nd Street, Beaverton, OR 97008.
Memorial contributions can be made to: The Encourager’s Class, Nexus Church of the Nazarene, PO BOX 458, Beaverton, OR 97075. Donations can also be made online at: wearenexuschurch.com
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