Alfred William Renzelman

Alfred William Renzelman entered Eternal Life in Heaven on April 9, 2016, at the Extended Care Unit in Haxtun.  He was born July 23, 1923 to Frederick and Mathilda Horstman Renzelman, 7 ½ miles southwest of Wray, Colorado.  The farm where Alfred was born and raised had been homesteaded by his grandparents who emigrated from the Bahrenborstel-Bremen Germany area in the 1880’s. 

Alfred was baptized into the family of God as an infant at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Vernon, Colorado.  Later, on July 4, 1937, at Calvary Lutheran church in Wray, he was confirmed and made a commitment to a life-long profession of Christian faith.

Alfred received his elementary public school education at a one room country school where he was the only student in his class for eight years.  He attended Wray High School, graduating with academic honors in 1941.

During World War II, Al was inducted into the US Army at Ft. Logan, Colorado.  He received his basic training with the Combat Engineers at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO.  Later, he was transferred into the Army Veterinary Corps at Ft. Riley, Kansas, where he was discharged as a tech Sergeant in August 1946. 

On June 16, 1946, in answer to his prayer that the Lord would provide him a Christian mate, Alfred and Rhoda Phyllis Ekberg were married at Calvary Lutheran Church in Wray.  To this union four children were born:  Jenean, Chris, Lynette and William.

For ten years the Renzelmans farmed and raised registered Holstein dairy cattle on the family farm.  Those were good, busy and growing years.   In the spring of 1956, they moved their herd to a Grade A dairy site near Ft. Collins and Alfred entered Colorado State University.  He graduated in 1959, with a degree in Agricultural Education.  They sold the dairy cattle, and Al accepted a job at Haxtun High School, teaching Vocational Agriculture.  The family spent one year, 1963-1964, at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where Alfred received a Master of Arts degree in Vocational Administration Guidance and Leadership.

Besides teaching, during his 60 year career of professional education, Al has been a counselor, vocational director, principal and superintendent.  He also was Dean of Community Education and an Interim President at Northeastern Junior College.  During Al’s later years, he worked part-time as a Vocational Consultant for the N.E. Colorado BOCES.  He was honored to be inducted into the Colorado Vocational Hall of Fame, but said many times that his most rewarding accomplishments were teaching Bible classes and the speaking assignments he was given as a Gideon.   Al wrote hundreds of poems over the years, expressing his thoughts and sentiments about faith, family and farming.

Alfred is survived by children Jenean Hovel, Chris and Rebecca Renzelman, Lynette and Ken Harms, William and Rhonda Renzelman.  Grandchildren Patrice (Pat) Weil, Kendall (Tara) Hovel, Jessica Harms, Angela (Jacob) Gillen, Melissa (Scott) Matz, Stephanie Harms (Seth Starkebaum), Gus (Kelsey) Harms, Rachel (Gerrek) Zwickle, Renae Renzelman.  Eleven great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Wanda Renzelman and Jacque Ekberg, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by Rhoda, his wife of 67 years.  Grandchildren Nathan Hovel and Paige Renzelman.  Son-in-law Dennis Hovel, brother Delwyn Renzelman, and in-laws Nelson Ekberg, Harry and Beulah Ekberg.

Alfred’s philosophy was to live to the glory of God and the welfare of his fellowmen.  To this end he lived life to its fullest – now at 100%.  A service celebrating his life and faith was held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Haxtun, Colorado, on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at 10 30 with Pastor David Loeschke. Baucke Funeral Home of Holyoke was in charge of services.