Elaine Mildred “Butchie” Krause Renz passed away on June 4, 2017 at Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula, Mississippi with her family around her. She was born on June 11, 1941 in Watertown, Wisconsin. She was the youngest of seven children born to Ethel and Hugo Krause.
Elaine grew up in Watertown where she married and had five children with her first husband. She later married Dale Renz on June 28, 1980 and they were happily married for 37 years. They retired and spent their time traveling between Wisconsin and Mississippi for many years before finally moving to Biloxi, Mississippi in 2014.
Elaine is survived by her husband Dale, her three sons: Mark Leiknes (Barb) of Campbellsport, WI, Lance Leiknes (Laura) of Atlanta, GA, Jay Leiknes (Shelley) of Richfield, WI, her twin daughters Victoria Leiknes and Cheryl Leiknes, both of Atlanta, GA; her step-children: Shelley Vogel (Larry) of Milton, WI, and Sheila Renz of Janesville, WI, (she was preceded in death by her stepson Tim Renz); her two sisters Hazel Mueller of Lake Mills, WI and Rosemary Krueger (Carl) of Grelton, WI; and 11 grandchildren: Katie Burkard (Eric), Brett Leiknes, Trent Leiknes, Clarice Leiknes, London Leiknes, Riley Leiknes, Connor Renz, Duncan Renz, Brandon Koxlien (Rachel), Melissa Hammill (John), and Derrik Koxlien (Missy); as well as four great-grandchildren: Taylor Leiknes, Nolan Burkard, Britta Koxlien and Braelee Koxlien,
The family invites friends to join them in a Celebration of Life gathering. This will be held on Sunday, June 25, 2017 at 12:00 noon at The Fairview Restaurant in Jefferson, WI.
Memorial donations may be made to Singing River Hospice of Light, 3635 Bienvielle Boulevard, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, or to St. Vincent de Paul Society of Jefferson, 1438 S. Ryan Avenue, Jefferson, WI 53549.
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