Raymond Clifford Renn

Monday, January 21, 2019 2:40 pm

Raymond Clifford Renn, 81, died peacefully Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019, at Evans Memorial Home in Cresco.

Raymond Renn was born March 12, 1937, in Decorah, to Charles and Ida Louise (Larson) Halloran. Ray’s biological siblings include Betty (Forde) Wilson of Decorah and Robert (Carolyn) Metcalf of Sumer. In 1942 he was adopted by Clifford and Sena Renn. His adopted siblings include Rebecca (Frank) Meier of Wisconsin and Frank (Nancy) Renn of Idaho. Ray spent his younger years in Iowa and Illinois. His parents moved a great deal and he attended schools in Davenport, and Polo and Rockford, Ill. He went to West High School in Rockford, Ill. After high school, he enlisted in the US Navy. Ray always had a poppy in his hat and an American flag flying.

Most of his adult life was spent traveling across the country and working in many capacities along the way. Ray worked as a ranch hand and general laborer and never shied away from hard work or new adventures. He enjoyed all elements of the great outdoors. Ray was a life-long hunter, fisherman and had a special interest in birds of prey. He possessed a keen sense of animals and their environment. Whenever Ray told a story about a bird he had seen, he paid special attention to describe details about the bird and their environment. He would tell you precisely where he saw the bird and what the bird was doing. After hearing his story, you would know exactly what kind of bird it was, where the bird was perched and the kind of tree the bird was perched in, what it was eating, and other elements about the weather and other animals that might be in the vicinity. As a falconer, a person who trains birds of prey to hunt game for food, he had the patience and ability to calm a wild bird and train the bird to work with him to hunt for game. Ray also worked and trained bears, lions and cougars at the Animal Actors Review in Gering, Neb. He had a unique gift that allowed him to be connected to all wildlife.

In his later years, he met the love of his life, Hazel Olson. Ray and Hazel spent 17 happy years together in Decorah.

Ray is survived by his brothers, Frank and Robert; sister, Betty; nieces: Michelle (Steve) Nesteby, Lyra (Bob) McKnight, Wendy (Paul) Wells, Debra and Michelle Meier; nephews: Clint (Jenn) Renn, Wayne (Laurie) Metcalf and Michael Meier; and step-children Faye Hageman, Daniel Olson and Linda Poltiske.

He was preceded in death by his two sets of parents, his sister Rebecca Meier, and his life-partner, Hazel Olson.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Remington, WMC Hospice and Evans Memorial Home for their kind and compassionate care.