DEFOREST- After a long history of surprising doctors over and over again, Claire E. Renz’s incredible heart finally stopped beating on November 9, 2017. She was born in Oshkosh, WI, on November 20, 1944, the daughter of Walter F. and Genevieve T. (Barry) Shea.

Claire attended Pickett Country School, then St. Rafael’s Grade School and finally Madison Central H.S. The best day of her life was on November 10, 1962, when she began working at Manchester’s Department Store in Madison, where she met the love of her life and future husband, Marty Renz. The two were married on June 19, 1965 at St. Rafael’s Cathedral and Claire’s two greatest accomplishments, daughters Theresa Genevieve and Suzanne Marie, arrived thereafter.

She held multiple jobs throughout her life and made many friends at Sears in Eau Claire where she worked in the shoe department and at her last job as a claims processor at American Family Insurance. Claire was known as the family historian and amazed her family with her extensive knowledge and steel trap memory. Her biggest priorities later in life were watching Wheel of Fortune at 6:30 pm every night, doing crossword puzzles and reading Danielle Steele novels.

She is survived by and will be deeply missed by her husband of 52 years, Marty; her daughters, Theresa Kamenick (Bob Hanson) and Suzi (Doug) Soetaert; her grandchildren, Andrew, Jacob (Meghan), Ainae (Austin), Anicia, Zachary (Ellie) and Bryce (Maggie); her sister, Gail (Bill) Foristal; sisters-in-law, Theresa Weisensel and Magdalene Purcell; brother-in-law, Leo (Dorothy) Renz; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Daniel Shea; and five brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the National Kidney Foundation.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 noon on Friday, November 17, 2017, at ST OLAF CATHOLIC CHURCH, 623 Jefferson St., DeForest, with Fr. Vincent Brewer presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass on Friday.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com

Claire Renz

November 20, 1944 - November 09, 2017

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