Gilbert B. Renze, age 85, of Wall Lake, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday morning, March 26, 2008, at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll, Iowa.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 29th, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake. Burial will be at the Wall Lake Cemetery under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.

Visitation is from 2:30-8:00 p.m., Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake with a Rosary at 3:00 and wake service at 7:30 p.m.

Gilbert was born on November 12, 1922, the son of Joseph and Ellen (Hoelscher) Renze. He was born on a farm near Dedham, Iowa, and attended the local schools. He entered the United States Army in 1945 and was honorably discharged in 1946.

Gilbert drove truck for Farmers Grain & Lumber Company until 1953 when he moved to Wall Lake and managed the Gus Schroeder Elevator Company for 26 years. He then was a loan officer for Production Credit of Ida Grove for eight years before retiring in 1988.

As a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church he sang in the choir for many years and for many weddings. He was formerly a member of the board of directors of the Parish, lay minister, taught CCD for many years, former member of the Carroll Elks, and sang in the Carroll Elks Chorus for 40 years.

Gilbert was active in the community, serving as mayor of Wall Lake for 14 years, Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and member of the Lion’s Club. He was a Veteran of World War II and member of the American Legion Chalon Post No. 262 of Wall Lake.

On June 22, 1961, Father Shanahan united Gilbert in marriage to Barbara Drilling of Lake View at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wall Lake. His wife passed away on January 22, 1996.

He was interested in farming, enjoyed his work, music, dancing, and visiting with family and friends. He is survived by his sister, Adeline Reicks of Carroll; three brothers: Lavern Renze and wife Kathleen of Harlan; Cyril Renze and wife Teresa of Carroll; and Melvin Renze and wife Mary Ann of Manning; brother-in-law Ed Drilling and wife Louise of Lake View; sister-in-law Virginia Drilling of Sioux City; and many nieces and nephews.

Gilbert was preceded in death by his wife Barbara; parents Joseph and Ellen Renze; brothers: Elmer and Norbert Renze; parents-in-law Ed and Blanche Drilling; brother-in-law Don Drilling; sister-in-law Lorine Renze; and brother-in-law Larry Reicks.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Anthony Hospital in Carroll.