Renea Kirby, age 84, left her temporary home and entered her eternal home with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, May 21, 2026, surrounded by family at the Avera Oahe Manor, Gettysburg.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 29, 2026, at Grace Bible Church, Gettysburg with Pastor Logan Nyquist presiding. Burial will follow in the Gettysburg Cemetery. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 28, 2026, at the church with visitation one hour prior.

Renea Umiker was born on January 22, 1942, to John F. and Marie (VanBockel) Umiker who resided at Whitlock Crossing. She was born at the Peter and Rena VanBockel farm five miles south of Lebanon, SD. When Renea was one, they left Whitlock Crossing and moved to their family farm.

Renea’s elementary years were spent at Roy School, located one mile down the road. She went to Gettysburg High School, graduating in 1959. After high school she attended the National School of Business in Rapid City, SD and was then employed by the State of South Dakota in Pierre with the Proration and Reciprocity Division for two years.

On February 24, 1962, she married the handsome (as she lovingly referred to him) Kenneth Kirby. They made their home of 64 years just two miles down the road from where she grew up. They were blessed with four children: Kevin, Lee, Kelly, and Kari.

Renea was dedicated to raising her family and working alongside Ken in every aspect of the farm. She put in many hours milking cows and tending her large garden, canning enough food to feed her family all year long. She helped raise the pigs, chickens, and cows and loved to spend time outside. She kept an immaculate yard adorned with beautiful flowers. An avid cleaner, her house was kept spotless – one could rarely find a speck of dust.

For many years, Renea worked in the office at the Gettysburg Livestock on sale days. In 1991 she started working at Paul Nelson Lodge, first cleaning a few times each season before eventually helping in the kitchen for over thirty-two years. Renea was an excellent cook and fed many men around her kitchen table. Her caramel rolls, coffee chocolate cake, monster cookies, homemade noodles, as well as many other items, are well known.

Renea was a member of Grace Bible Church. She served as the treasurer for many years, taught Sunday School, volunteered as a youth group leader, and helped with Awana. She was always ready to serve when painting, staining, or cleaning was needed at the church. She and Ken hosted Bible studies in their home and touched many lives through this. Renea was a member of the REA Club (Roy, Ellida, Avon Spring), and both Ken and Renea were 4-H leaders when their kids were young. Community members knew her for her love of visiting. She didn’t know a stranger and always found someone to talk to no matter where she went

Renea loved to crochet, particularly potholders and afghans that she made for everyone in her family. Another of her favorite hobbies was to refinish furniture. In their early years, Ken and Renea loved to square dance, bowl, and roller skate. Later, they loved to follow their grandchildren’s activities and spent many hours cheering at their sporting events. They loved their grandchildren dearly and were adored by each of them. Their love for each other was seen by everyone as they were often holding hands wherever they went.

Renea is survived by her faithful and loving husband, Ken; children: Kevin (Lori) Kirby of Barry TX, Lee (Pam) Kirby of Midlothian, TX, Kelly (Renee) Kirby of Gettysburg, SD, and Kari (Rick) Decker of Gettysburg, SD; siblings: Eldon Umiker (Hot Springs), Verna Fransen (Pierre), Bernadine Hinckley (Pierre), and John D. Umiker (Lebanon); twelve grandchildren: Kendall (Paul) Wolf, Kassie (Val) Rich, Jayd (Carlee) Kirby, Jody Kirby, Jason (Jackie) Andrada, Jeff (Codi) Andrada, Brooke (Aaron) Johnson, Carson (Hannah) Kirby, Kolten (Tiffany) Kirby, Cameron (Brady) Swier, Calen Decker, and Logan Decker; nineteen great grandchildren (with number twenty on the way); sister-in-law, Theresa Kirby; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Renea is preceded in death by her parents, John and Marie Umiker; sister, Marcia Ann; in-laws, Lee and Lois Kirby; brothers-in-law, Harlan Fransen, Malcolm Hinckley, and Francis Kirby; and sister-in-law, Marilyn Umiker.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Renea’s arrangements.

1. Add to favourites
2. Report abuse