Renee Wertz

Renee Wertz, 88, of South Sioux City, Nebraska passed away at her residence on Thursday, April 22, 2010.Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, April 26, 2010 at First Lutheran Church in South Sioux City, Nebraska with Pastor Jerry Gilbreath officiating. Burial will be in the Ponca Cemetery in Ponca, Nebraska. Visitation will be from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M., with the family present at 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, April 25, 2010 at the Mohr Funeral Home, 1431 W. 29th Street, in South Sioux City. Online condolences may be sent at www.mohrfuneralhome.com.Renee was born in Randolph, Nebraska on May 5, 1921 to Guy and Edith (Boughn) Bernard. The family moved to Ponca, Nebraska, where Renee grew up and graduated from Ponca High School. She attended Wayne State Teacher's College for 2 years, earning her degree before teaching school in Ponca for 2 years. She married Robert Wertz at Salem Lutheran Church in Ponca on December 25, 1941. While Robert was in the service, Renee worked in the bank and her parent's restaurant in Ponca. The couple moved to South Sioux City, where she worked for Dr. Walston and Dr. Helt at the South Sioux Medical Clinic, and Nebraska State Bank. She then worked as a tumor registrar for the University of Iowa for many years. She retired to spend more time with her husband. Robert passed away in 1995.She was a member of First Lutheran Church, the Laura Chapter of Eastern Star, PEO and the Red Hat Society in South Sioux City, the Senior Siouxs and the Retired Business Women's Assn. She loved to read and was an avid bridge player. In their younger years, she and her husband enjoyed golfing and dancing.Survivors include 1 daughter, Suzanne (Gordon) Wiebelhaus of Crofton, Nebraska; 1 son, Terry (Margaret) Wertz of Williamsburg, Iowa; 3 brothers, Max (Rachel) Bernard of Holyoke, Colorado, Dick (Vidra) Bernard of Bradenton, Florida, and Jack Bernard of Logan, Iowa; sister-in-law, Dorothy Bernard of Hobbs, New Mexico; 4 granddaughters; 1 step-grandson; 1 great step-grandson; several nieces and nephews.Renee was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert; 1 brother, Bill Bernard; and 1 sister-in-law, Frannie Bernard.In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established at a later date.