Genevieve A. Schrenk

Genevieve Annamarie Schrenk, 95, passed away peacefully in Alexandria, MN on December 28, 2016.   She was born on May 24, 1921 on the family farm near Long Prairie, the second of nine children of Anton and Elizabeth (Goebel) Clasemann.

Genevieve (Gen) had great emotional strength based on a strong faith and her family. She was naturally kind, generous, positive, and tenacious, which helped her overcome many difficulties in life.  In 1936, when Gen was only 15, her mother died suddenly, and Gen quit school to help her father manage the farm, take over the busy household, and raise her siblings.  The youngest four boys ranged in age from 2 to 7. Gen developed many of her talents on the farm and loved to bake bread and pies, cook, garden, embroider, knit, crochet, sew, and quilt.  She made friends easily, many life-long.

Gen married Jerome J.  Schrenk on April 22, 1947 and they lived on the Schrenk farm near Long Prairie, which had been homesteaded by Jerome’s grandfather in 1867.  Gen and Jerome had three daughters (Carol, Elaine, Lois) and one son (Michael).  When Jerome grew discontented with farming, he studied mechanical drafting, and secured a job at FMC Corporation in Fridley, MN in 1967.  They then sold the family farm and moved to Brooklyn Center, MN.  Genevieve worked at JC Penney in Brookdale from 1967 until retiring in 1983.  Gen and Jerome loved their “new lives” and enjoyed many gatherings with family and friends.  They took up roller-skating, ballroom dancing, and square-dancing and travelled to every state.   Gen and Jerome loved being grandparents.

In 1984, Jerome developed a rare muscle disease and for 6 months, Gen took him to doctor appointments and rehab, until he recovered.  Six months after retirement, Jerome died of a massive heart attack on Dec. 22, 1986.  Gen continued to maintain her home and also traveled to Europe, Mexico, and Alaska.  She was a very active volunteer at Sacred Heart Catholic Church where she helped with funerals, senior dinners, bazaars and bakesales, and often led the rosary.  She crocheted over 250 baby layettes, which were donated to women’s centers and the church.

In 2007, Gen moved to Broadway Court apartments in Robbinsdale, where she enjoyed living close to her church.  In 2013, she moved to St. Therese in New Hope for the convenience of additional services.  After a series of health problems, Gen moved to Tacoma, WA in January, 2014 and resided at the Weatherly Inn, close to daughter Lois and son-in-law Bill.  In June, 2015, Gen resettled in assisted living at Edgewood Vista in Alexandria, MN, close to daughter Carol Windels and son-in-law John Jarman.

Gen is survived by daughters Carol Windels (John Jarman), Elaine Schrenk, Lois (Bill) McNeil; son Michael Schrenk; sister Betty (Don) Tinker; brothers Joe (Lila), and Alois (Annella) Clasemann; sisters-in-law Gladys and Lorraine Clasemann; grandchildren Bill McNeil, Amanda (Zach) Wills, Heather (Ava) Schrenk, and Gordon Schrenk; brother-in-law Lester (Bernice) Schrenk; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by husband Jerome; two infant sons, Richard and Joseph; sister Evelyn (Dean) Carstensen; brothers Wilfred, Alroy, Francis, and Alvin (Stephanie) Clasemann.

Visitation one hour before the Mass at the church. Interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.

Tuesday, January 3, 2017 10:00 AM

The Church of the Sacred Heart 4087 West Broadway Robbinsdale, MN 55422

Visitation one hour before the Mass at the church. Interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.