Obituary for Renate Anna Waddle

Renate Anna Waddle (née Lohnes) passed away peacefully with family by her side, at Methodist Hospital Tuesday, December 10, 2024.

Renate was born on July 14, 1936, in Darmstadt, Hessen, Germany, as the only child of Anna Maria Wilhelmine Lohnes. Her early life was marked by profound loss when, on September 11, 1944, her mother was tragically killed during the World War II bombing of Darmstadt. Following this loss, Renate moved to Harreshausen, Hessen, to live with her Aunt Marie. Despite these hardships, Renate displayed remarkable resilience and determination, completing her education and graduating from school. Her strong work ethic and adaptability enabled her to secure a position with the American Occupation Forces stationed in Germany after the war.

Life and Family
During her time with the American Occupation Forces, Renate met her first husband, Ron. Together, they welcomed a daughter, Suezet, and moved to the United States in October 1957. In 1960, she moved to California, remarried, and had two sons, Rick and Eric. In 1964, Renate relocated to Warren County, Iowa, after meeting her third husband, and they welcomed a daughter, Brenda.

Later, in 1987, Renate married Kenneth Hyde, a man she held dear. They shared a happy life in Fertile, Iowa, until Kenneth's sudden passing in February 1991. Following his death, Renate returned to the Des Moines area to be closer to her family, eventually settling in Pleasant Hill.

In 2000, Renate met the love of her life, Ralph Waddle. During their seven years of courtship, they began building a life together, eventually moving to Ralph's farm in Pleasantville, Iowa, in 2002. The two were married in 2007 at the historic Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa, where they celebrated their union surrounded by family and friends. Together, they began raising chickens and provided a loving home for several rescue dogs, stray cats, and their cherished Chihuahuas. Renate also shared her passion and skills in sewing, cooking, yarn crafts, gardening, knitting, and crocheting, passing on her love for these creative pursuits to others.  

After moving to the United States, Renate built a beautiful extended family, forming deep bonds with friends who became like her own family. She gained loving parental figures in Dorothy Jane Cooksey and Alex Barber, whom she affectionately called Pappy, and a sister, Shanna Kay. Over the years, her circle of loved ones grew as she welcomed others into her heart as family, including Bonnie Sue Francisco, Theresa Duckett, Linda Petro, and most recently, Darren Smith.

Career and Dedication
Renate was a hardworking and dedicated woman who approached every task with determination and fortitude. In California, she worked as a waitress and seamstress. After moving to Iowa in 1964, she opened her home to three foster children, Al, Paul, and Susan, and worked at the Massey Ferguson Plant in Des Moines. She later started her own cleaning business and cleaned offices for Mercy Clinics.

While living in Fertile, she worked at Handicapped Village in Clear Lake, a role she found deeply meaningful. Renate then joined Methodist Hospital, where she served for 15 years as a transporter and later in the medical records department. She retired in 2009 at the age of 73, after a lifetime of hard work and service.

Legacy
Throughout her life, Renate faced both triumphs and challenges with incredible inner strength, poise, and what her family fondly called “German determination.” Her tenacity, generosity, and kind spirit left an indelible mark on everyone she met. Her legacy is one of resilience and a never-give-up attitude, inspiring all who knew her.

Survived By
Renate is survived by her loving children: Al Kuntz, Suezet (Michael) Cain, Rick (Vanessa) Johnson, Bruce Eric Johnson, and Brenda Lee Sinclair, Step-Children: Dan (Rachel) Waddle, Kenneth “Buck” Waddle. 14 Grandchildren: Tracy (Dave) Hobbs, April Kuntz, Nikki Kuntz, Tiffany (Tim) Beck, Shannon (Nicholas) Crawford, Rhonda (Nick) Serovy, Alex (Ashlee) Cain, Hunter (Jael) Cain, Tracy (Krissy) Yanske, Shannon Yanske, Dustin Lee Johnson, Stephanie Blaine, Brandon Scott Blaine, and Emily Waddle; 22 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great-grandchildren. Each of them will forever cherish her memory.

Preceded in Death
Renate was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ralph Waddle; her mother, Anna Maria Wilhelmine Lohnes; her Aunt Marie Deihl; her “adopted” parents Dorothy Jane Cooksey and Alex (Pappy) Barber, and one grandchild, Shilo Michelle Cain.

Renate’s life was a testament to resilience, love, and unwavering strength. She will be deeply missed but fondly remembered by all whose lives she touched. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, along with a funeral for both Renate and Ralph at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa, where they will be laid to rest together.