Coreen Renz

Coreen Renz, aged 88, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Durand Manor on Friday, April 28, 2023.  Coreen was born July 16, 1934 in Abbey, Saskatchewan, the youngest girl of 14 children, 7 boys and 7 girls.  Her parents, Michael and Barbara Greenstein immigrated from Odessa, Russia to Canada with their families.  Coreen’s family was very happy and close - she was the last surviving member of her large family.

               Coreen was predeceased by her husband August (Gus) Renz; her oldest son, Dennis and her youngest son, Rodney; and her son-in-law, Trevor Uhrich.  She was also predeceased by her friend and companion of more than 30 years, Jack Leslie.  Coreen is survived by her daughter, Berneice Uhrich; grandsons, Troy (Terri) and Everett Uhrich; great-granddaughters, Sidney (Tanner) and Hailey Uhrich, all of Golden, BC.

               Coreen cared and made sure her children and Jack’s children were warm, well-fed and cared for.  She was always happy to see Craig and Leah when they came to Golden to visit her and their other family members.  Her true joy was her grandchildren and great granddaughters, Sidney (Tanner) Uhrich and Hailey Uhrich.  She loved them very much and wanted them to be happy and well.

               As a young girl, Coreen helped her older sisters with their large families.  Her sister, Margery, taught her to preserve fruit and pickles, make sauerkraut bread and pastry.  Coreen made the best butter tarts, banana loaf and bread.

               Coreen’s father was a carpenter and a butcher.  He showed Coreen how to cure hams, make headcheese, smoke fish and make homemade sausages.  Jack and Coreen always made tubs of homemade sausages and she always made sauerkraut for us.

               Coreen had no secret recipes; she passed the recipes on to anyone who wanted to learn.  She will be remembered for her cooking and it is missed!

               Coreen reached out to her friends and neighbours.  She would deliver hams, roasted chicken, homemade bread or buns.  When they suffered a loss of a family member or a house fire, she just made it and delivered it.

               Coreen loved learning and doing new things.  She had a little store on the North Bench.  She managed her own restaurant for several years and she raised chickens and turkeys.

               Coreen sewed many quilts for her family and friends.  She worked for a rafting company, mending their wetsuits and coats for them. 

               Coreen and Jack were members of the Golden Horse Club.  Coreen and Ramona Elliott prepared and cooked many meals for the club.

               Coreen was a wonderful friend, neighbour, mother and grandmother.  We are all going to miss her, but she will always be in our hearts.

               Coreen gifted an embroidered wall hanging to Berneice and Trevor for one of their anniversaries.  It says, “In the Lord’s house there are many rooms.  I hope that mine will be next to yours.”

               As we end this service for Coreen, we grieve, but can grieve in hope.

               “Let not your hearts be troubled;  Ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions:  if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.”  John 14:1-2

Coreen’s family would like to thank the board at Abbeyfield House for their care and support when Coreen was a resident.  We also thank Doctors Clare and Cunnes and the nurses at Golden Hospital for their care.  And Janice LaRoy and the staff at Durand Manor; Kevin Bolen, of Hindman Bowers Funeral Home; and all our friends and neighbours for their caring thoughts, flowers and food.  The care and thoughtfulness for Coreen will always be remembered. 

There will be a Funeral Service held on May 5, 2023 at 1:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, Golden, BC with a reception to follow downstairs in the church hall.