Stacey Karal Renka

Stacey Karal Renka, aged 55, our beloved wife, mother, and sister, passed away in her sleep on Saturday, July 23rd, 2016 while on a trip with her family to visit with her brothers and their families at Cedar Creek Lake in East Texas.

Stacey was born in Livonia, Michigan on August 13th, 1960, the fourth of five children and only daughter to Melvin John Abele and Frances Virginia Abele. The family eventually settled in Dallas, Texas where she graduated from Richardson high school and then attended the University of Texas at Austin. Stacey graduated with a degree in Interior Design in 1982 and then began a career with Donna Vaughan and Associates in Dallas. During her life in Dallas, she also received a degree in computer programming and worked for TU Electric company. In January 1993, she married Philip Dennis Renka and they relocated to Austin, Texas where they made their life and raised their two sons. Stacey worked for the Texas Rehabilitation Commission as a programmer/analyst for several years, then became a stay at home mom for 9 years while her children were young, and then began teaching at Chaparral Star Academy in 2007 where her children attended school. She continued to teach there until her passing. Her family has lost a loving wife, mother, and sister. She will be missed terribly by her husband, sons, brothers, extended family, students, and fellow teachers and faculty and many, many friends.

Stacey was preceded in death by her father, Melvin Abele and her mother Frances Abele. She is survived by her husband, Philip Renka, her sons, Zachary Renka and Joshua Renka, her brothers, Steve Abele, Stan Abele, Scott Abele, and Spencer Abele, their families, many nieces and nephews, and all of those who called her Aunt Stacey.

A Memorial Service will be held at Hope Presbyterian Church, 11512 Olson Drive, Austin, Texas 78750 at 10:00 a.m on Saturday, August 6, 2016.

In lieu in flowers, the family requests that donations be made to “Paws For A Better Life”, www.pawsforabetterlife.net , a foundation that assists diabetics and helps fund the cost of diabetic alert dogs (DADS) going to people in need. You can mail checks to Paws For A Better Life, PO Box 156; Brownsburo, Texas 75756 and please mark them as in memory of Stacey Renka.

To share your memories and condolences with Stacey's family, please visit www.cookwaldenchapelofthehills.com.