Rena Bohlen

Rena (Hendriena) Bohlen was born January 14, 1918, on the family farm in Pittsford Township, Butler County, Iowa, to Rube and Mary (Dohlman) Wearda. She was baptized and confirmed at Dumont Reformed Church and graduated from Dumont High School in 1935. She married Harland H. Bohlen on March 18, 1938, at her parent’s home in Dumont. After marriage they owned and operated a service station in Applington, Iowa. In 1944 they sold the station and Harland served in the US Air Force during WWII. Following his discharge in 1946 they moved to Bloomington. In 1954 they moved to rural Northfield. In 1966 Rena went to work as a library secretary for the Northfield Public Schools, retiring in 1980. Harland passed away on June 21, 1981, and in 1982 Rena moved into Castle Rock. She moved to Northfield in 1998 and to Transitions Care Center in Owatonna in August 2007.

Rena was a member of the Castle Rock United Methodist Church where she was active in the Ladies Aid and served as the church organist for over three decades, retiring in the early 1980's as her eye sight failed. She and Harland had also been active in the American Legion. She enjoyed the farm life - raising animals, tending the garden - and she loved her flowers. She was kind, generous, always willing to lend a helping hand, got along great with others and always welcomed people into her home.

Survivors include her children: Kathleen and husband Marvin Mahowald of Medford, Dianne and husband Don Brinda of Yuma, Arizona, James and wife Linda of Austin, Texas; 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, her son LeRoy in 2007, and her sister Mina Woodley.

Rena passed away Wednesday morning, March 19, 2008, at Transitions in Owatonna, at the age of 90.

Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M. Saturday, March 22, 2008, at Castle Rock United Methodist Church with Rev. Gordon Deuel officiating. Music will be provided by Brad Bohlen and Karen Nelson. Interment will be in Greenvale Cemetery. Casket bearers will be her grandsons: Michael & Matthew Mahowald, Jeff, Brad and Josh Bohlen, Craig Brinda and Jonathan Bohlen. Honorary casket bearers are her granddaughters: Kelly (Mahowald) Poulton, Kalinda (Mahowald) Smith, Kimberly (Mahowald) Hansen, Korin (Mahowald) Flores, Jenni (Brinda) Taylor and Betsy Bohlen. Visitation will begin at 11AM at the church on Saturday.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.