Rena M. DeVries (Laird) was born October 24, 1934, in Ringgold County Iowa and passed away peacefully on July 30, 2026, in Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, August 6, 2026 at Reach Church in Des Moines. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery.
Rena graduated from high school in Kellerton, Iowa. As a younger woman she worked at Bankers Life in Des Moines and later in Ames at HyVee and the Iowa Department of Transportation. She had a long career with Younkers Department Stores in Des Moines
Rena was married to John DeVries on September 9, 1956. Together their children are Julie Christ and Tim DeVries.
Rena was a Christian who loved to share her faith in God. She loved her family above all else. Rena had a great eye for fashion and enjoyed shopping for gifts for family birthday and Christmas celebrations. You always knew you would get a great gift from her. She had a keen interest in people and was willing to start up a conversation with anyone she met. Rena lived for many years as an independent woman and was able to accomplish much in her life. Rena was very much appreciated for her attentiveness, knowledge and kindness by customers and co-workers alike. She was very proud of her two visits to Israel, and travels to England, Egypt and Greece.
Rena’s legacy lives on through her children Julie Christ of West Des Moines and Tim DeVries (Wendy) of Des Moines. Grandsons Alex Christ of San Francisco, Ben Christ of West Des Moines, and Evan DeVries (Amy) of Des Moines. Her nieces and their families Utoni Ruff of Garnavillo, Iowa and Tahra Ferguson of Marquette, Iowa. The greater McNally family and many cherished friends.
Rena was preceded in death by her parents Maxine Schmidt and Glenn Laird, her sister Karen Casey and brother-in-law Marvin Casey, brother Craig Schmidt and nephew Mark Haltom.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa or Reach Church, Des Moines.
