James Eugene Rens passed away on February 13, 2017 at St Luke's Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri. Jim's passing came as a result of a stroke he suffered on Saturday, February 4.

Funeral services will be held at Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, 314 W Jefferson St, Clinton, MO 64735, at 2:00 pm, Wednesday,February 15, 2017. The family will begin greeting friends and relatives at 1:00 pm. Following the funeral service, there will be a graveside service at Englewood Cemetery, Clinton, Missouri. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com .

He was born on February 16, 1942 in Clinton, Missouri to James Cornelius Rens and Cleta Elaine Harrison Rens of Clinton, Missouri.

Jim grew up spending time between Clinton, Missouri and Waterloo, Iowa and enjoyed much of his childhood at his grandparent's farm in Clinton.

Jim married Wilma Louise Breshears on February 2, 1963 in Branson, Missouri. They were happily married for 54 years. Jim and Louise relocated often during their marriage as Jim pursued his career in construction.  Jim always had a passion for working and did so until his passing. Jim also had a lifelong love of cars and was a proud member of the Clinton Elks Lodge. However, Jim's greatest passion was his family in which he loved to talk about and would do anything for.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his oldest son Troy Eugene Rens, his daughter- in- law Elizabeth Racine Rens and his great grandparents Grover Harrison and Violet Ward Harrison.

He is survived by his spouse Louise Breshears Rens; his children and their spouses, Jennifer Hinkle Rens, James Timothy Rens (Tim), Tony Dale Rens and Karen Brown Rens; his grandchildren, Sidney Elizabeth Rens, Tiffany Elaine Patterson and husband Joshua Levi Patterson, James Derrick Rens, Victoria Geraldine Rens, Janey Drew Rens, Emily Louise Rens, Abigail Racine Rens, and Katey Lynn Rens; and his great grandchildren, Camryn Leigh Patterson, Sara Elizabeth Patterson, Miles Dale Patterson, Eli Griffin Patterson, Harrison Robert Kuhlmann and Mylan Derrick Douglas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations are made to the American Diabetes Association and may be left in care of the funeral home, In Memory of Jim Rens.