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In Memoriam

Goldie Marie Renz (Sommers) - Class Of 1935

Goldie Marie Renz (Sommers)

Goldie Marie Renz, daughter of William John (1887-1961) and Pearl F. (Merrill) (1890-1962) Renz, was born 18 September 1918, East Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan.  She graduated in 1935 from Okemos High School and went on to obtain a bachelor's degree from Michigan State College (now Michigan State University).

Goldie married John Sommers Hart 10 August 1940, East Lansing.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Friday 9 August 1940

COUNTRY CLUB AFFAIR HONORS BRIDE-ELECT

Honored at luncheon Thursday afternoon when Miss Betty Fowler entertained at the Country Club of Lansing was Miss Goldie Renz, bride-to-be of John Sommers Hart of Highland Park.  Miss Fowler will be maid of honor for the bride when the ceremony takes place Saturday afternoon at the Renz home near East Lansing.

Gladioli filled the large bowl centering the round table at which guests were seated for luncheon on the porch of the clubhouse.  Afterwards, bridge was played with high honors going to Miss Isabel Maner and Miss Bette Randall.  Miss Renz was presented with a guest prize also.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Sunday 11 August 1940

VINE SHADED PORCH SCENE OF WEDDING

In quiet ceremony Saturday afternoon Miss Goldie Marie Renz of Midland and East Lansing spoke her wedding vows to John S. Hart of Highland Park on the vine-covered porch of her parent's home near East Lansing.  She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Renz of East Lansing and Mr. Hart is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl M. Hart of Jackson.

Approximately 40 guests were present for the ceremony performed at 3 p.m. by the Rev. John A. Scantlebury, of St. Paul's Episcopal church.  Honeysuckle, rose and Chinese wisteria vines formed the green setting, broken by white pillars, and on the large stone steps leading to the porch, baskets of coral and white gladioli were placed alternately.  Additional flowers formed the improvised altar.

A blue-grey print of tiny flowers was chosen by the bride for her wedding dress, made afternoon length with accordion pleated skirt.  The full bodice was gathered to a wide, tight-fitting midsection, and the neckline was high.  A tailored jacket with lapels and elbow-length sleeves completed her costume, her accessories were dubonnet (?), and her corsage was the orchids and lilies of the valley.

Miss Betty Jean Fowler of Lansing was maid of honor.  She wore a navy blue crepe dress styled on the princess lines and accented with organdy collar.  Her accessories were navy and her corsage of orchids.  William Hart of Jackson was his brother's groomsman.

The bridal chorus from Wagner's "Lohengrin" was played by a sister of the bride, Miss Doris Renz, and her twin sister, Miss Dorothy Renz, played the "Flower Song" by Gustav-Lange.  The reception took place in the dining room of the home, where the large tiered wedding cake centered the serving table.

The bride and groom, immediately following the reception, went north to Les Chenaux islands for a few days, and on their return, they will live at 1014 Massachusetts avenue, Highland Park.  Both are graduates of Michigan State college of the class of 1939, and Mr. Hart is a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

 

John, born 14 June 1916, died 2 February 2008, New Mexico.  Goldie died 31 May 2010, Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico.

Lansing State Journal Obituary:

Goldie (Judy) Renz Hart Died on May 31, 2010 at the age of 91 at La Vida Llena Retirement Community in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

She is survived by her daughter, Valerie Hart, three granddaughters and three great granddaughters, all of Albuquerque. She is also survived by two sisters, Irene Ritch of Green Valley, Arizona; Doris Johnson of Grand Junction, Colorado, and several nieces and nephews.

Judy was born on the Renz family farm in East Lansing, Michigan as the oldest of five children, on Sep… tember 18, 1918 to William J. and Pearl M. Renz.

She majored in English and Journalism at Michigan State University, where she met her husband, John (Jack) Sommers Hart. They married and moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1940 and were together until his passing on February 2, 2008. She and Jack lived in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan for many years, and then in Middletown, New Jersey until Jack's retirement. Thereafter, they split their time between Carlsbad, California and Lovells, Michigan at their cabin on Shupac Lake.

A devoted wife and mother Judy enjoyed her role of homemaker. She volunteered for several organizations in the Detroit area over the years, including the Southern Oakland Girl Scout Council; Jr. Group Goodwill, and AFS Student Exchange Program.

She and Jack were active members of the Lovells Historical Society and Hook and Trigger clubs. She loved doing needlework, knitting, sewing, gardening, playing bridge, golfing, being at the cabin and spending time with her many friends.

She will be missed. A private memorial service is being held at La Vida Llena. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lovells Township Historical Society, 8405 Twin Bridge Road, Grayling, MI 49738.