Evelyn Rens

Memorials may be directed to Hills Christian School in Hills, Minnesota.

Evelyn “Evie” Rens was born on July 17, 1932 to John and Kate (Korthals) Vanden Oever in Hull, Iowa. She was raised on a farm outside of Hull and attended a country school through the 8th grade. Her teacher noticed she was very good at spelling and decided to enter her into the Iowa State Spelling Bee, which she won! Following her education, Evie traveled to various homes helping new mothers with their housework. She also worked at the hospital in Sioux Center, Iowa, cleaning and with additional patient care. While attending ballgames back home in Hull, Evie met Marvin Rens. On February 19, 1952, the couple was united in marriage at the First Reformed Church of Hull. A short time later, Marvin went abroad while serving in the U.S. Army. On February 26, 1953, they welcomed their first child, Linda Joy. Upon Marvin’s return home from serving, the family moved west of Rock Rapids, Iowa, where they lived and farmed for a year. In 1956, they moved near Hull and farmed, until purchasing a farm northwest of Hills, Minnesota, in 1959, where they remained. On November 18, 1959, they welcomed their second child, Laurie Ann, who went back to the arms of Jesus a day later. Evie enjoyed their time working on the farm together and especially liked milking the cows and caring for the baby calves. She was comfortable with being a homebody. Whenever you saw Marvin, you were sure to see Evie.

In 1993, Marvin was diagnosed with early onset dementia, and the couple retired from farming. Evie began her new role of primary caregiver to Marvin along with help from their daughter, Linda. Being true to their vows promised at marriage, Evie took great care of him for 57 years, until death did them part on April 16, 2009.

Evie was a member of the Hills Christian Reformed Church in Hills, Minnesota where she taught Sunday School for many years. She and Marvin later joined First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Evie was kind, loving, selfless and very funny, though she often didn’t recognize how funny she was! She had numerous sayings she will be remembered for: “Come back and see me!”, “Oh, dear”, “Mercy Me” and “Be careful!” were a few that will be dearly remembered by her family. She enjoyed shopping with her daughter and traveling the United States with Marvin in their pickup camper.

Later in life, Evie was diagnosed with hardening of her arteries and dementia. As she had taught the importance of caring for her family, her family chose to care for Evie at their home until her death. On Saturday, May 24, 2025, Evie went to be with her Lord while at her home, surrounded by her family, at the age of 92 years, ten months and seven days.

Evie is lovingly survived by her daughter, Linda (husband, Orlie) Aukes of Hills; three grandsons, or “sons” as she called them, Brian (wife, Janna) Aukes of Beaver Creek, Minnesota, Terry (wife, Christine) Aukes of Larchwood, Iowa, Dan (wife, Amy) Aukes of Valley Springs, South Dakota; 11 great-grandchildren, Logan (wife, Alicia), Dylan (wife, Alyza), Katelyn, Jaren, Megan, Braden, Brooklyn, Autumn and Devin; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin; infant daughter, Laurie Ann Rens; a brother, John Mulder; and eight sisters, Gertrude Vander Vliet, Jeanette Vander Zwaag, Cynthia Oostra, Wilmina Smit, Henrietta Wassenaar, Catherine DeWit, LaVonne Kroese and Joan Boeve.