Funeral service for Leo Renaud, 88, of Des Moines and formerly of rural Lynnville, was held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home in Des Moines and concluded with burial at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. Contributions may be directed to Bible Truth Publishers or Valley View Village Chapel Renovation in loving memory of Leo.
Leo Max Renaud was born Nov. 12, 1933. He was the youngest of the 13 children born to Paul H. and Lydia (VanDerPol) Renaud on their farm south of Sully. Leo attended Lunt and Grandville Country Grade Schools until the family moved to Otley where he then attended Otley Grade School. In 1951, Leo graduated from Pella High School. He then farmed with his family until he was called to serve his country in the United States Army from January 1955 to January 1957, when he was honorably discharged, after which he returned to his family home and farming.
Leo and Marguerite ended their six-year courtship with their marriage on July 27, 1956. They welcomed Pamela Joyce on July 26, 1957, and Gregory Lee on Jan. 13, 1961. They enjoyed their life on the farm and the pleasure of opening their home to many guests. Working the tax season for 10 years at H&R Block was a good fit for him, too.
Leo and Marguerite enjoyed extensive travels to all 50 states, the Canadian Provinces, Israel was very special, and England and Scotland, too. Leo had a very productive life and found pleasure in hard work. He was very grateful for his heritage!
Leo accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at a very young age. Living for the Lord was his joy and peace. His special lifelong verse is I John 5:13. For 12 years, Leo and Marguerite took gospel calendars to Barrow and Wainwright, Alaska, to spread the gospel message of Jesus Christ in which many friendships were established. In 2005, they moved from their home and farm where they lived 48 years south of Sully to Valley View Village in Des Moines. This is where Leo peacefully went to be with his Lord with Marguerite by his side the morning of Dec. 9, 2021.
Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 65 years, Marguerite; and his children and their families: daughter, Pam (Roger) Roossinck of Sparta, MI, and son, Greg (RuthAnn) Renaud of Olathe, KS; grandchildren, Maria Roossinck of Cedar Springs, MI, Carrie (Rob) Lyle of Holly Springs, MS, Bryan (Meredith) Roossinck of New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Megan (Justin) Caldwell of Olathe, KS, and Michelle (Justin) Pothoven of Olathe, KS; great-grandchildren, Robert and Annetta Lyle, Emily, William, and Henry Roossinck, Eleanor Caldwell, Jamie and Jordie Pothoven. He is also survived by his siblings and their spouses: Gerrit (Jane) Renaud of Monroe, Mary (John) Verratti of Gasport, NY, and Mark (Patricia) Renaud of Hemet, CA; sister-in-law, Miriam Renaud of Iowa Falls; brother-in-law, William (Virginia) Love of Thousand Oaks, CA; as well as many nieces and nephews, other loving family, and countless friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws Tom and Joyce Love; his siblings and their spouses Paul (Dora and Dorothy) Renaud, Harold (Viola) Renaud, John (Grace) Renaud, Carrol (Florence) Renaud, James (Gladys) Renaud, Glen (Dorothy) Renaud, Johanna Renaud, Lydia (Henry) Roossinck, Edmund Renaud; sister-in-law Jean Renaud; and several nephews.
