Beatrice Renner

Beatrice was born July 19, 1909 in Lake Lenore, Saskatchewan, Canada to Michael and Anna Koller Hornick. Her parents homesteaded in Canada before moving to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas where Beatrice attended grade school in Mission Texas. In 1921 the family moved to Minnesota where she attended St. Raphael Catholic School and graduated from Springfield High School in 1927. After graduation she attended Mankato Teacher's College earning her teaching certificate. Bea taught in rural Brown County and Jeffers, MN. She married Gilbert Wagner in 1937 and the couple farmed in Stately Township until Gilbert's death in 1953. Bea moved into Sanborn and taught Primary classes at Springfield Public School while continuing her college studies. She received her Bachelor's degree with a minor in Special Education and then went on to develop the first Special Education class in Springfield. She continued teaching in Austin, MN until 1974 when she retired and returned to Springfield. On November 7, 1982 Bea was united in marriage to George Renner at St. Raphael Catholic Church. Beatrice was a long time member of St. Raphael's serving as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, choir member and religion teacher. She was a member of St. Monica's Court C.O.F, St. Ann's CCW, Third Order of St. Francis and the St. Boniface Society. She was also involved with the crafts, recycling cards and rosary makers. Bea received the Catholic Diocese of New Ulm Bishops in 1964 and 1996. She held office positions in the Brown County and Springfield Senior Citizens groups, was a member of the Springfield Area Community Center Board, Springfield Community Theatre, RSVP, National and Minnesota Education Association, Brown County Retired Teachers Association and Senior Federation and was also a past 4H leader. Her hobbies include fellowship with family and friends, crafts, crocheting, wood carpentry, card recycling and rosary making. Her most favored interests were daily church services, community projects and helping others. Beatrice Wagner Renner, 101, died Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at Divine Providence Community Home in Sleepy Eye, MN. Bea is survived by her daughter - Patricia Ann Wagner of Mesa, AZ; sons - Michael and wife Audrey Wagner of Sleepy Eye, Thomas and wife Patricia Wagner of Georgetown, TX; 20 grandchildren; 52 great grandchildren; 7 great great grandchildren; step-son - James and wife Marsha Renner of Waconia, MN, step-daughter - Sandra Lewis of St. Paul, MN; step-son-in-law - Ernie Anderson of Naturita, CO; step-daughter-in-law - Winnie Renner of Ely, MN; 9 step-grandchildren; 14 step-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands - Gilbert Wagner in 1953 and George Renner in 1997; great grandsons - Dane Altermatt and Aidan Helget; brothers - Gilbert and Norbert Hornick; sisters - Loretta Berg, Blanche Peichel and Mary Ann Tempel; step-children - Robert Renner and Patricia Anderson. The family has designated St. Raphael Catholic School and S.A.F.E. for memorial contributions.