Lois Irene Renter

Lois Irene Renter

Cedar Rapids

Lois Irene Renter, 94, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at her home. In agreement with her wishes, cremation has been accorded and there will be no services held. A private family inurnment will take place at a later date at Oak Shade Cemetery in Marion, Iowa.

Lois was born on Oct. 23, 1929, in Lowden, Iowa, the daughter of Thomas Eberly and Lulu Mae (Barlean) Hutson. As an only child, Lois was much loved by her family who affectionately called her “Tyke” and later, “Irene.” Today, she is mom, grandma, and great-grandma, and she is much loved and will be deeply missed.

Lois lived life very well. She often reminisced about her early years as “assistant” to her father, Thomas, who was Station Master for the railroad at Lowden. After he died, when she was 7, she and her mother, Lulu Mae, traveled a bit during the Depression years. Eventually, they established life with a stepfamily. Lois married Karl A. Renter at the young age of 18. They enjoyed 75 years of marriage.

Lois’ curiosity, love of music, and academic brilliance carried her through life, and she never stopped traveling. She trekked the Himalaya in Nepal, “tripped the light fantastic” in Hong Kong, and traveled Japan. Lois went technical rock climbing along the Mississippi Palisades in the Cascade Mountains and in Colorado, where she also skied. She explored the South American Altiplano and Patagonia and canoed the Canadian Boundary Waters. She visited Europe more than a few times. Lois returned to college when her three children were in school. She majored in Romance Languages at Cornell College, graduating Cum Laude and received her Phi Beta Kappa key. Later in life, Lois learned Kanji and biblical Hebrew. She completed a master’s degree, graduating in the first accredited class of the University of Iowa School of Library Science. Lois created the research library at the ACT Corporation in Iowa City, Iowa, and served as the Head Librarian for 25 years. Well-trained in research, she documented her family genealogy to the 15th century, in England; Quakers or Methodists all and yet today. Of course, this required much traveling. In retirement, Lois continued living a life of broad interests, attending Coe Forum and Cornell Chautauqua. She wrote a short history of her life, perfected the art of embroidery, and tutored immigrants in English. Lois gave generously to environmental, educational, and social causes and supported the Methwick Community, where she lived for 25 years. She was a voracious reader and New York Times crossword puzzler-in ink! She enjoyed good friendships and the warmest of family relations.

Treasuring Lois’ memory are her husband, Karl A. Renter; children, Susan (David) Dunlap, Rebecca (William) Shaffer, and Karl G. (Mary) Renter; two grandchildren, Karli Dunlap and James (Amanda) Shaffer; and two great-granddaughters, Abagael and Lillian Shaffer.

“A woman of valor, who can find? Her worth is far beyond rubies.” Proverbs 31:10.

Please share a memory of Lois at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.