Loretta Jean Renick

Loretta Jean Renick age 71 of Duluth passed peacefully into the arms of her God at Benedictine Health Center on May 19, 2022 with family at her side.

Loretta was born on May 18, 1951 to Thomas and Cecelia Angell. She was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when she was eleven and though her adolescent years were difficult; by the time she reached adulthood, she had gained control of her diabetes to the admiration of her doctors. Loretta suffered many complications from diabetes, including vision loss, damage to her heart, kidney failure, and joint and bone damage. Through it all her indomitable spirit and bright smile impacted and inspired all who came in contact with her.

Loretta was given the gifts of service and a desire to help others and a love for hospitality.

She graduated from UMD with a degree in Sociology and began her career working with developmentally disabled adults. She and her clients had a mutual love and respect for each other which earned her warm and excited greetings from them as they met throughout her life. She met Jack and they were married on September 16, 1978. In 1985 they adopted a daughter, Sarah Jean and in 1991 adopted a son, Justin Frederick. Loretta loved homemaking to include baking bread, cooking, gardening, canning and preserving food and raising children; not only her own but the many she served as a daycare provider for many years and the babies and children she loved and cared for at church.

Loretta had a strong faith and loved prayer and reading the bible and participated in Community Bible Study for 24 years and loved the Women's studies at church.

She loved and appreciated her many caregivers: Doctors Paul Sanford, Sandy Popham and Scott Mikesell and the staff at Fresenius Spirit Valley Dialysis, St. Luke's staff and the people of Benedictine Rehabilitation and Adult Day Services and her great STRIDE drivers. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Cecelia (Tomczak) Angell; and brother, Martin Angell. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Jack; children, Sarah (Everett) Reynolds and Justin Renick; grandchildren, Oswin Elizabeth and Phineas Skywalker; siblings, Karen (John) Wagner, Kathy Angell, Annette (David) Schram, John Angell, and David Angell; nieces, Amy and Ledare and Terry and nephew, Guy; and many other extended family members and friends. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 31st from 10AM until the 11AM Memorial Service at Lakeview Covenant Church, 1001 Jean Duluth Rd, Duluth, MN 55804. Memorials preferred to the Lakeview Covenant Church Building Fund. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home 218-727-3555.