Ray and Janet Renz

Ray Renz and Janet Renz 

Ray and Janet Renz passed away in their home together at LaCrosse, Kansas on Thursday, August 29, 2024, and on Friday, August 30, 2024, respectively.

Ray was born June 19, 1937, to W.C “Bill” and Alma (Meier) Renz of Rush Center Kansas. Janet was born September 28, 1939, to Earl and Dorothy (Krug) Moore of Rush Center. After a long childhood crush, Ray married the love of his life on December 27,1958, at Hope Lutheran Church in Rush Center, Kansas.

Ray graduated from LaCrosse High School in 1955. Ray completed Army basic training in 1956 and entered the Army Reserves and was active up into the early 1960s. Ray went back to work for Renzoil hauling propane, gasoline and diesel contributing to the family business with his father Bill Renz’s gas station. After having worked there since the 1st grade he became the owner of Renzoil and ran the business up until the 2005 era. Ray sold the bulk propane business to Moeder Oil in Great Bend, and continued to serve his existing farm customers until he was close to 80 years old. 

Janet was a 1957 LaCrosse High School graduate and homecoming queen. She was a homemaker and librarian at the Barnard Library in LaCrosse Kansas. She worked at Renzoil alongside Ray handling the bookwork for a long period. Janet attended FHSU majoring in Art later in her life sharing her paintings and creativity with her family. She loved all animals and considered her cats family members. 

Survivors include Ray and Janet’s children, Jeff Renz and wife, Peggy (Potter), Overland Park, KS; Steven Renz, Kansas City, KS; Alan Renz and wife, Wendy (McLaughlin), Rush Center, KS; Jana Johnson, McPherson, KS; their grandchildren, Curtis Renz and wife, Stacia, WaKeeney, KS; Ayden Johnson and Julianna Johnson, both of McPherson, KS; and Ethan McLaughlin, Ellis, KS. 

The couple were preceded in death by their Parents; Ray’s brother, Harley Renz; his sisters, Maxine Josefiak; Marjorie Stephenson; and Wilma Flamik; and Janet’s brother, Robert Moore; and her sister, Earlene Moore.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. A private inurnment and family celebration of Ray and Janet’s lives will be planned in the upcoming weeks.

The family suggests memorials made payable to: Chasing Tails Pet Rescue in Great Bend, Kansas in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. 

Condolences can be sent via e-mail to clineschapels@gmail.com or can be left at guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com