Father Lawrence Louis Aloysius Renner

1926 - 2015  (88 years)

• Name	Lawrence Louis Aloysius Renner
  Prefix	Father
  Born	25 Apr 1926	Bismarck, Burleigh County, North Dakota, USA
  Gender	Male
  Died	24 Mar 2015	Jesuit Infirmary, Spokane, Spokane County, Washington, USA
  Buried	Y  [1]
  Person ID	I239455	Suedpfalz
  Last Modified	27 Mar 2015

  
  

  Father	John Joseph Renner,   b. 19 Sep 1899, Saint Anthony, Morton County, North Dakota, USA ,   d. 12 Jul 1993, Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington, USA  (Age 93 years)
  Mother	Rose Gustin,   b. 6 Jan 1904, Flasher, Morton County, North Dakota, USA ,   d. 12 Oct 1988, Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington, USA  (Age 84 years)
  Married	23 Oct 1923	Saint Anthony, Morton County, North Dakota, USA
  Family ID	F85152	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Sources

  [S927] Obituary. RENNER, Rev. Louis L. S.J. Died March 24, 2015 at the Jesuit Infirmary in Spokane. He was 88. A priest, professor, and a dedicated historian, Fr. Renner was noted for his depth of knowledge, gentle spirit, and love of the outdoors. The second of five siblings, Louis Lawrence Renner was born on April 25, 1926, in Bismarck, ND, to John J. and Rosa (Gustin) Renner. The family moved to Tacoma, WA, in 1937. He graduated from Bellarmine Preparatory in 1944, and entered the Jesuit Novitiate in Sheridan, OR. He followed the regular course of Jesuit formation studies and teaching experiences. Fr. Renner was ordained a priest June 15, 1957, in Spokane. Showing great promise and desire for advanced studies, Fr. Renner attended the Sorbonne in Paris, France and completed a doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Munich, Germany, in 1965. He embarked on a teaching career at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks from 1965 to 1980. Retiring with the status of Professor of German Emeritus, Fr. Renner shifted his energies to writing and pastoral duties: he was editor and chief writer of the “Alaskan Shepherd”-the major newsletter of the Diocese of Fairbanks-and served as the visiting priest for the Koyukon Athabaskan Indian villages of Ruby and Tanana. In 2002 Fr. Renner was missioned to write a comprehensive history of the Catholic Church in Alaska; this was published in 2005 as “Alaskana Catholica” and was his fifth published book. In October 2002 Fr. Renner was honored by Tony Knowles, Governor of Alaska, with the “2002 Governor’s Award for Friend of the Humanities.” That same year Fr. Renner relocated to Spokane and became a “writer in residence” at the Gonzaga University Jesuit Community. In addition to his writing he ably assisted the staff of the Archives and Special Collections with his vast knowledge of people, places, and events in the Pacific Northwest. Fr. Renner’s sixth book, “A Kindly Providence: An Alaskan Missionary’s Story” was his autobiography and was published in 2008. Fr. Renner is survived by his brothers William, Leonard, and Albert; and his sisters Julie McMillan and Della Carlin. He was preceded in death by his younger brother Richard. There are several nieces, nephews, and cousins as well. He will be deeply missed by his many friends, former students, colleagues, parishioners, and brother Jesuits of the Oregon Province. A Rosary service will be held Saturday, March 28, at 10:00am in the Jesuit House Chapel on the Gonzaga University campus. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am, Saturday, March 28, also in the Jesuit House Chapel. The burial will be at 1:30pm, Saturday, March 28, at Mt. St. Michaels Cemetery. Contributions in honor of Fr. Renner may be sent to: The Senior Fund, c/o The Oregon Province, Society of Jesus, P.O. Box 86010, Portland, OR 97286; The Alaskan Shepherd, 1312 Peger Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709; or to the charity of the donor’s choice.