Harold Rensch
March 30, 1923 – January 21, 2017
GARRISON - Harold Rensch, 93, Garrison, died Jan. 21, 2017, at T he Meadows Assisted Living Center, Garrison, surrounded by his family. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Garrison. Burial will take place July 28 at St. Nicholas Cemetery, Garrison, with Jeanne's ashes being interred with Harold.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Thompson Funeral Home, Garrison. A rosary will be said beginning at 7 p.m. at the church.
Harold Joseph Rensch,was born March 30, 1923, to Joseph and Dorothy Elizabeth (Wolf), Rensch. He was raised and educated in Makoti, graduating from Makota High School. He then attended St. John's University in Minnesota for two years before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in April of 1944.
Harold was the co-pilot on a B-17 that flew out of England in the 95th Bomb Group. On Dec. 31, 1944, Harold's plane was shot down over Hamburg, Germany, and he was taken as a prisoner of war by the German army and held at Stalag Luft No. 1 Prison Camp. The Russian army liberated the camp in 1945. His capture during this time would shape his priorities and sharpen his moral compass for the rest of his life. He had an incredible appreciation and awe for the rich life he had, the gifts of a loving family, good health and business success.
Following his discharge from the Air Force, Harold returned to Makoti and worked for the Rensch Garage. On Sept. 29, 1949, he married Dorothy Jeanne Liffrig. The two of them were raised in the small community of Makoti and had known each other all of their lives. They had been married for 65 years at the time of Jeanne's death a year and a half ago. From this beautiful union came six children: Dave, Beverlee, Dwight, Brenda, Doug and Barbi.
Harold and Jeanne moved to Garrison in 1952 and founded the Rensch Farm Store. They ran the business together for over 50 years before handing the business over to their sons, Dave and Dwight.
Harold was very active in the community. He was a member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, a Lifetime Elks member, Hugh P Mineham American Legion Post No. 49 (71 years), Hiddenwood Sportsman's Club, 95th Bombardier Squadron, and the Garrison Golf Club, where Harold volunteered countless hours.
Harold is survived by his sons, David (Kathy) Rensch and Dwight (Robin) Rensch, all of Garrison, and Doug (fiancee Dawn Corbin), New Town; his daughters, Brenda Thompson, Everson, Wash., and Barbi (Shane) Carroll, Phenix City, Ala.; his grandchildren, Chad (Kim) Rensch, Timothy (Kim) Rensch, Jeff (Brandee) Rensch, Sarah Rensch, Robert (Kyleen) Guttormson, Ken Rensch, Steven (Jess) Rensch, Danielle Rensch, Lance (Tracy) Thompson, Shane (Melissa) Thompson, Mitch (Lacey) Thompson, Lee (Katie) Rensch, Noel Rensch, Sierra Rensch, and Levi, Jake and Avery Carroll; 21 great grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Jeanne; his daughter, Beverlee, who passed in 2001; his grandchildren, Glenn Rensch in 1988, Cassie Rensch in 2008, and Daniel Guttormson in 2014; and son-in-law, Llewellyn "Lou" Thompson in 2007.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to the Garrison Golf Club, North Dakota Firefighter's Museum, Camp of the Cross or the Hugh P. Minehan American Legion in Garrison.
To sign the online register go to www.garrisonthompson.com.
Copyrig ht, 2017, The Bismarck Tribune