Olvin "Jiggs" Renken

Olvin “Jiggs” Renken, 92, a lifetime Stewartville, MN resident died on Saturday, February 21, 2026, of natural causes in Indian Harbour Beach, FL where he had been a resident since January 2026.

Olvin James Renken was born on March 30, 1933, in Racine, MN to Oliver and Irene (Lowrie) Renken. He grew up in Racine, MN where he attended country school and graduated from Stewartville High School in 1951. He graduated from the University of Minnesota where he earned an agricultural degree. Jiggs served in the US Army and was stationed in France from 1953 to 1955. He married his college sweetheart, Barbara Jean Andrews from Herman, MN on November 19, 1955. The couple lived in Stewartville where they raised their four children. Jiggs worked for AT&T in Rochester starting as a telephone lineman and worked his way up into management,  years before retiring.

Jiggs was a longtime member of the Stewartville Methodist Church. He was a member of and participated in activities with the Stewartville American Legion, Masonic Lodge, Gun Club, and Junior Chamber of Commerce. He spent much of his spare time fishing and gardening, and was an avid pool player. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Following their retirements, Jiggs and Barbara became snowbirds spending the winters in their Melbourne Beach, FL home for 23 years.

Jiggs is survived by one son and three daughters – Jim (Laura) Renken of Melbourne Beach, FL; Vicki Renken (Tomas Hernandez) of Cape Canaveral, FL; Jane Renken Terleski of Stewartville; and Kari (Peter) Olsson of Indian Harbour Beach, FL; 11 grandchildren – Olivia Hertel, Samuel Renken, and Randall Renken; Erin Broeren Puzel and Hailey Ring; Kyle Terleski, Kaitlin Dobmeier, and Rylan Terleski; and Mattias Olsson, Lukas Olsson, and Benjamin Olsson; 15 great-grandchildren – Amelia, Aiden, Mackenzie, Steven, Simon, Isabelle, Tilo, Mason, Wyatt, Aksel, Gabriel, Mattias, Rowen, Solveigh and Miles; and three siblings – Linda(Bruce) Bucknell of Racine; Debby(Daren) Whipple of High Forest,MN and Randy(Vickie) Renken of North Ft. Meyers, FL.

He was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings- Marlo Renken, Robert Renken, Donna Wolf, Harlan Renken, and Ronald Renken.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at the Stewartville United Methodist Church. A committal service with military graveside honors by the Stewartville American Legion Post 164 will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Stewartville. A time of visitation for family and friends will be from 5 to 7:00 PM on Monday, March 30, 2026, at Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. The Renken Family asks that no flowers be sent at this time. Condolences and memories of Jiggs are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com.

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