Caroline Renner

caroline renner

Everyone should have a first grade teacher like Mrs. Renner. Caroline Rose Loretta Renner, 79, Fargo and Richardton, N.D., died June 26 in Fargo, surrounded by family, in the compassionate care of Bethany on University.

Caroline was born in October 1934 to Adam Schreiber and Elizabeth Schmidt. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School, Richardton, N.D., and Dickinson State College, Dickinson, N.D. On Aug. 4, 1953, she married the love of her life, Casper J. “Cap” Renner, at St. Stephen’s Church near Richardton. Inseparable for 59 years, she celebrated joys and weathered storms with her husband, who continued bringing flowers to his sweetheart through their entire union.

She taught students in one-room country schools in North Dakota beginning in the 1950s, including Farmer’s Valley School District 19 where she earned $1,340 in annual teaching salary. From 1961 to 1982, she taught in Richardton Public School District 3. From 1982 to 1996, she taught in Richardton-Taylor Public School District 34, Taylor, N.D.

Caroline was a lifetime member of the National Education Association. She also was a member Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority and the Christian Mothers Society. In addition to teaching her students, the shy farm girl excelled in artistic needlework, painting, crafts, sewing, gardening, baking and cooking. Kind-hearted, sweet Caroline often shared her time and talents with others, without expecting anything in return.

In total, she taught North Dakota students for 42 years. Upon her retirement from teaching, she received letters of commendation from dignitaries at the time, including President Bill Clinton, U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan, Gov. Ed Schafer and Wayne Sanstead, long-time superintendent of public instruction in the state. Her career spanned teaching her original students, and often their children and grandchildren. She followed her first graders through their 12 years of schooling and always presented them with photo albums for their graduations.

A former student wrote to her upon her retirement. “I wish to tell you that you impacted me as a child; through your efforts I learned to read, and perhaps, more importantly, to love learning. You fed this child’s imagination by fostering and nurturing in him a sense of wonder about space and space flight.” The student, who became an educator, wrote:  “I hope that I have accomplished with my students what you were able to accomplish with me. Thank you for the difference you made in my life.”

Caroline is survived by her daughter Carol (Steve) Renner Wennblom, and granddaughter Hilary, Fargo. She is also survived by her sisters Rose (William) Renner, and Dolores (Bernie) Adams, Bismarck, brothers-in-law John (Beverly) Renner and Jerry Renner, along with many nieces and nephews and their families.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Cap, her father and mother, Adam and Elizabeth, and several nieces.

Caroline lived her life through one simple saying that her mother taught her:  Do your best and God will do the rest.

Memorials to Amber DesRoches Scholarship Fund at Sanford Health-Bismarck, N.D., Christian Mothers Society, Richardton, N.D., and Bethany Retirement Living Foundation, Fargo.

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  1. I have known Caroline since 1961 when the Richardton Public School opened and have been friends ever since. My husband Edo was a teacher there and I worked at Renner Implement. Caroline will be missed, and I extend my sympathy to Carol and the family.

  2. Mrs. Renner was one of my favorite teachers. She was a wonderful person and teacher.

    I still tell the story of how she taught me to spell T.V. I was a shy little first grader and I asked her how to spell T.V. and she said ‘T.V.’ and I replied back, ‘yep, T.V., how do you spell it?’ She calmly said, ‘Donna, you spell T.V. with a T and a V.’ She was the best!

  3. Dickinson ND
    Mrs. Renner was a wonderful 1st grade teacher. She had a gift that we were all blessed to be a part of in the classroom. She taught me to not just read but love reading. Not just learn but love learning. I have many memories and am so thankful that she chose to be a teacher for her lessons will live on in all of us that she taught. Praying for your family as you grieve the loss but praising God for the blessings of knowing her!

  4. Fargo ND
    Dear Carol,
    In the loss of your mother ~ Caroline.
    Your Mother lived a long life, had many accomplishments and was respected by many who knew her as a wonderful teacher, but her death is still a sad time in your life.

    May the God that welcomed your Mother to her new address of “heaven” be the same arms that wrap around you and give you peace and comfort during this sad time.

    I extend my heartfelt sympathy to you.

    Darlene Jose
    Fargo, ND

  5. Sacramento CAI have very fond memories of Aunt Caroline! I will cherish the special memories from spending time with her as a kid. Her kindness, patience when she tutored me with my school work when I was in the hospital as a child, and the cookies and candy that she would notoriously “hide” in the candy drawer are just a few of the things I will miss. She touched many lives over the years and her spirit will live on in our hearts. It is times like this that make it hard for me to live so far away. It saddens me that I am not able to be at Caroline’s services. I think of all of the family very often.

  6. I began my teaching career in Richardton with Mrs. Renner teaching first grade. Even though I taught 6,7,8 grade English and language arts, I looked up to Mrs. Renner as master teacher. She was so kind to those little ones. She set a good example for me and I am very grateful to her for showing me how a loving teacher should act!
    Deb Walth


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