Date of Birth:
Friday, December 23, 1927
Date of Death:
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Age:
86 years old

Merlin “Dick” Rengstorf

Merlin (Dick) Rengstorf was called to his Eternal Home on Thursday, January 23, 2014.

He died peacefully at home with family around him.

Dick was born in Echo, MN on December 23, 1927 to William and Mabel Rengstorf.  He was baptized in Echo, MN on January 15, 1928.  He attended grade school in Vesta, MN and graduated from Concordia High School in River Forest, IL in 1945.  He

attended Valparaiso University and then enlisted in the Navy in December 1945 for two years, serving on Saipan in the Mariana Islands.  Dick then attended the University of Minnesota and later joined his father in business in 1948.  He married Marge Gronholz on October 16, 1949.  The marriage was blessed with two sons, Dan and Paul.  From 1951 to 1955 he operated a locker plant in Redwood Falls, MN.  He became a salesman for Swift and Company in 1955 selling in Bismarck, N.D., Little Falls, MN and then

moved to South St. Paul, MN in 1960.  He went into the life and health insurance business in 1963.  Dick attained the Chartered Life Underwriter designation in 1969.  During his insurance career he represented National Life Insurance Company of Montpellier, VT.

Dick enjoyed baseball, golf, tennis, and racquet ball and was a Charter Member of the Inver Grove Heights, MN, Lion’s Club.  He was an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church serving as president, an elder, and on numerous committees.  He also enjoyed bird watching, especially Purple Martins and Bluebirds.

Survivors include his wife, Marge; sons, Dan and Paul (Paula) and 3 grandchildren; 1 sister, 1 brother and nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, and one brother.

His body has been bequeathed to the Mayo Clinic for research.

There will be a family visitation on Friday, Jan. 31^st from 4 – 7 pm at River Park Chapel, Macken Funeral Home, 1105 12^th St. S.E, Rochester, MN.  A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1^st, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 869 7^th Avenue S.E., Rochester, MN.  Friends are welcome to call 1 hour prior to the service.

Thank you to Mayo Hospice, Doctors and Physician’s Assistants at the Mayo Clinic, especially Dr. Swetz and Pastors James Heining and Adam Koglin.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Lutheran Hour Ministries, Redeemer Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, Mayo Hospice, or donor’s choice.