I loved Mrs. Renate's smile.  I will miss her. She loved her "Jim" and family!  My thoughts and prayers are with you!




Renate, 

I will never forget your beautiful loving voice.  The year was 1980 and I as a young 18 year old bride living in Frankfurt, Germany welcomed your friendship.  Stationed overseas and missing my hometown I know God sent you specifically to me.  You reminded me each day of my own German mother back in New Jersey.  You took away a lot of the loneliness I felt and made my stay in Germany quite a memorable experience.  The fun things that the four of us did together along with the trip to the Netherlands with the kids.  Visiting you in NC was such a gift as well.  Keeping in contact all these years later has been such a blessing!! I will never forget you dear one and look forward to seeing you again.  You are now whole and in the arms of the angels. Prayers for peace and comfort for Jim, Christy, Michael and their wonderful families.

Some people come in to our lives and quickly 
go,
Some stay for awhile and leave footprints
on our hearts and we are never the same.
Renate was that person for me, She left footprints on my heart
Renate was a gracious and generous Lady and my good friend.
We retired in  Colorado and Jim, Renate and family in Georgia,
all through the years we stayed in close contact.
 I will miss Renate and our long phone chats so very much,
Auf Wiedersehen Renate, till we meet again.

  Love, Ursula Kinney and family
Colorado Springs, CO

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. She was such an amazingly, beautiful, blessed woman in every way. Such a warm heart, beautiful soul, so much love for every one. Her smile lit up the bowling center many Saturday mornings and during many tournaments. It was a blessing to have met her, to have known her. My prayers for peace, comfort and love beyond all understanding and may you feel the presence of our Father during these difficult times and the up coming moments which may come upon you.
God Bless and much love 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤

IN MEMORY OF MY SISTER IN-LAW, RENETA
    I FIRST MET RENATE WHEN SHE VISITED MINNESOTA AFTER HER MARRIAGE TO MY BROTHER, JIM.  I GOT TO KNOW HER BETTER AS LOANN AND I GAVE HER A RIDE TO THE AIRPORT IN THE TWIN CITIES FOR HER TRIP BACK TO GERMANY.  THE RIDE TO THE AIRPORT WAS ABOUT A 4 HOUR TRIP.
    IN 1996, MY SON BRIAN AND I WERE INVITED TO STAY WITH THEM FOR A WEEK AT THEIR HOME IN GEORGIA.  THAT IS WHEN WE FIRST MET JIM AND RENATE’S FAMILY – MIKE AND CHRISTY.  THEY ALL WERE WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE MOST GRACIOUS HOSTS YOU COULD IMAGINE.
    BRIAN AND I ESPECIALLY TOOK INTEREST IN SOME THE GERMAN DISHES RENATE PREPARED FOR US.  SHE TOOK THE TIME TO EXPLAINTO ME HOW TO MAKE EACH OF THE MEALS WE HAD.  I STILL MAKE SOME OF THEM BACK AT MY HOME IN BARNESVILLE,MINNESOTA.  FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON, THEY JUST DON,T TASTE THE SAME AS RENETA’S DID. SHE WAS A GREAT COOK IN WHICH SHE TOOK A GREAT DEAL OF PRIDE IN.
    ONE EVENING AFTER DINNER, THE REST OF US GOT TOGETHER TO PLAY SOME PENNY POKER.  RENETA WAS BUSY DOING THE DISHES.  I WENT IN THE KITCHEN AND ASKED HER TO JOIN US.  SHE SAID SHE DIDN,T KNOW HOW TO PLAY.  I WILL TEACH YOU HOW I SAID. SHE DIDN HAVE ANY PENNIES TO PLAY WITH SO I REACHED OVER AND TOOK HALF OF JIM,S STACK AND SAID “NOW YOU CAN PLAY”.  WE SPENT THE NEXT 2 HOURS PLAYING POKER!!! 
   ABOUT 10 YEARS LATER, JIM ASKED IF I COULD BRING SOME OF MY NORWEIGN GOLFING FRIENDS TO ATTEND A DAY AT THE MASTERS IN AUGUSTA AND TO ALSO DO SOME GOLFING OF OUR OWN ON VARIOUS COURSES IN THE AREA.  AGAIN, MY FRIENDS AND I WERE WELCOMED INTO THEIR HOME AND TREATED US AS FAMILY.
  
  I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT RENATE IN THE FEW MEETINGS WE HAD WITH EACH OTHER.  SHE WAS A LOVING WIFE AND MOTHER AND LATER ON A SUPERB GRANDMOTHER.  OUR CONDOLENCES GO OUT TO HER FAMILY AND ALL THE OTHERS WHO KNEW AND LOVED HER.    FROM RICK RAFTEVOLD

Oma was such a sweet and pretty lady.  I will always remember seeing her every Saturday morning when I went in to work.  She was always there to support her Grandsons while they bowled.  We always had to talk for awhile and catch up.  I will surely miss her and all our good times  My prayers go out to all her family.  May the Lord give you strength and comfort at this sad time.  May she RIP.


Renate was a wonderful woman with such a kind heart.  She was simply the perfect Oma and there was no mistaking her unmatched love for her grandchildren.   I have so many memories with her and they are by far some of my favorite.  Shopping, laughing, Christmas cookie tins, birthdays, the great pacifier debacle of 2002 (where I quickly learned she was the boss!) - and everything in between.   She lives on in our memories but will be missed tremendously.   

Dear Fam. Raftevold, I am so sorry for the Loss of Renate. May the memories that mean the most to You live forever in Your Heart. With Deepest Sympathy, Elfriede and fam.

Sincerest condolences to Jim, Christy and the rest of the family.  We were so sad to hear of Renate's passing.  Renate was always such a sweet lady and I know my mom was always happy and laughing when they were together or talking on the phone.  Coen and I have fond memories of Renate making us laugh when we were doing the Saturday morning bowling.   May your whole family be at peace knowing that Renate is finally completely healed and living her best life in the Arms of our Heavenly Father. 

Renate was a special person, very warm-hearted and always helpful and for me as my godmother also something very special. I like to think back to the time we spent together. The childhood memories of vacations together in the small Walser Valley (Austria) and especially the trip to Italy that we took just the two of us, when I was just 4 years old. Later it was a tradition that we spent the Christmas holidays together in the extended family. Because of the geographical distance it was not easy to see each other often, but the deep connection was always there. I am very glad that we could see each other again for her 80th birthday. I will never forget this wonderful person. My deepest sympathy belongs to Jim, Christy, Mike and the grandchildren


Sincerely SORRY for your LOSS  !!   The BERTOLONE Family.........

Dear Jim and Family,

We are so sorry for your loss. We will keep you and your Family in our Thoughts and Prayers. Renate and I  had some fun times during our Thursday  Luncheons. I miss her a lot, but I always have the Memories. I loved  her like a Sister. Renate, RIP , I always love and remember you.    Joe and Inge Davis



 I have so many wonderful memories of my dear aunt. We had a lot of fun together and as child, when she lived in Germany, I spent my vacations with her. Even after she moved to the US, we visited her. In 2012 we made a 3-generations-girls-trip together with my mother (Renate's sister) and my daughters for a week and 3 years ago we celebrated her 80th birthday with her. We are very sad to let her go but we are very grateful that she was part of our life. She will stay in our hearts forever.

I have so many wonderful memories of Renata. She was a wonderful surrogate grandmother to my children and a special friend to me. We love you always !

OBITUARY

Renate G Raftevold

July 22, 1938 – November 13, 2021

Elliott Sons Funeral Home

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