Harry Lee Renke, the son of Jacob and Bertha (Lang) Renke was born on September 2, 1945 in Beulah, North Dakota.  He died at the age of 70 years on Monday, November 23, 2015 at the Trinity Hospital in Minot, North Dakota.

Harry was baptized and confirmed in the Congregational Church.  He graduated from Beulah High School in 1963, then attended Bismarck Junior College and received an Associate of Arts Degree in 1965.  After that he attended Dickinson State College receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Physical Education and minor in History.  While in college, he was active on the track and field team and in 1992 was inducted into the Dickinson State Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 1964-1969 track and field team.  On December 4, 1968 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the Republic of Vietnam from 1969-1970 and was later honorably discharged on December 3, 1974.  In 1970, he began his teacher/principal career at Towner High School.  Harry was united in marriage to Paulette Weiand on June 15, 1973 in Beulah.  The couple made their home in Towner and raised their three children.  He enjoyed his career along with coaching and was the 1992-1993 North Dakota High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year in Class B 9-man football.  In 2004, he received an Honorary Graduate Degree from TGU-Towner.  Harry retired in 2005 after 35 years of teaching, during his time at Towner, he coached football for 26 years, girls and boys track for 13 years and was the Athletic Director for 30 years.  He taught his son how to hunt and the two enjoyed many years of hunting together.  He enjoyed fishing and took an annual fishing trip to Canada, was a Chicago Bears fan and also enjoyed spending time at the casino.  He wants everyone to remember…All teachers want to make a difference by leaving a positive impact on their students.

Harry is survived by his wife, Paulette; children, Christine (Robert) Bubach of Leeds, Jacqueline (Christopher) Gapp of West Fargo, and Marcus Renke of Valley City; grandchildren, Morgan (Anthony) Aadland of West Fargo, Courtney Bubach, Preston, Ellie and Marissa Gapp; sister, LaVon (Dennis) Kirchmeier of Beulah; brothers-in-law, Ronald (Susan) Weiand of San Ramon, CA and Jim (Shirley) Weiand of Cheyenne Wells, CO; sister-in-law, Ann George of Billings, MT; many nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws, Duane and Lucille Krueger and Kenneth George.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be directed to Towner High School for the establishment of the Harry Renke Scholarship Fund.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 28 at Zion Lutheran Church in Towner with burial in the St. Cecilia’s Cemetery, Towner.  Pastor Linda Wimmer, Wally Fretland, officiating.  Father Michael Schommer, reader.