Ina Jean Reneau, 70, of Ontario passed away Oct. 3, 2010, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
She was born the daughter of David Earl and Graceland (Shackleton) Parkhurst on Sept. 19, 1940. She departed this life for her heavenly home Oct. 2, 2010, at the age of 70 years and 12 days.
Jean was born in Harrison County, Mo., near Eagleville, and spent the early part of her life in that area. In 1955, she moved to Sparta with her parents and family. She married LeRoy Fish and was later divorced. She then married Clifton Jay Reneau, and they shared a life of 33 years until his death on Nov. 10, 2007. Jean and Jay operated the Dinner Bell Café in Ontario and later opened their home for adult foster care, which she operated until her death.
Jean was a very family-oriented person. She loved her family immensely and loved family get-togethers, which reached even to the extended family. She loved her roots in northern Missouri and would have loved to go back, but after 50 years in Wisconsin, where she had raised her family and had put down roots, she was torn between two areas.
In the past several years, Jean was very instrumental in arranging and encouraging family members of both communities to cling together and always keep up relationships with one another and to keep family ties very vital and alive.
Jean was always willing to give a helping hand and support every member of her family. Her generosity and help extended to her neighbors and friends as well. She spoke fondly of her Amish neighbors and loved them dearly and often talked of their helping each other.
Jean had a vital faith that sustained her through life, and in later years, that faith grew stronger daily as she faced her many health issues and her life alone after Jay’s death.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jay; two sisters, Rita Ann and Dixie Glea; and one grandson, Jeb McNeal.
Those left to mourn her death are her children. Jean is survived by three children, Neal (Sue) Fish, Neola Winchel and Newly Reneau, all of Ontario; 10 grandchildren, Kari (Heath) Hauser, Ryan Fish, Cody Fish, Kylea Fish, Kyle Winchel, Kale Winchel, Katelyn Winchel, Bethany Winchel, Noah Reneau and Adrian Reneau; seven great-grandchildren, Keaton Hauser, Corbin Hauser, Jacoby Hauser, Samara Steinmetz, Zoe Pergande, Aubree Pergande and Tyler Winchel; three sisters, Phyllis (Bill) Roberts, Reva Jo Parkhurst and Vicky (Bob) Long; a brother, Glen (Josie) Parkhurst; and a host of other relatives, friends and neighbors.
Funeral services will be at 12 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Ontario. Pastors Richard Fossum and Bob Streeter will officiate. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, near Ontario.
Family and friends are invited for visitation from 5–7 p.m. Wednesday and one hour prior to services Thursday at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Ontario. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
