Russell S. Rentfrow

Russell Searcy Rentfrow - St. Charles St. Charles - Funeral services for Russell Rentfrow 92, of St. Charles will be heldat 1:00pm Wednesday at the St. Charles United Methodist Church with Pastor David Laechel and Pastor Ky Searcy presiding. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery. Mr. Rentfrow, 92, died on May 7, 2009 at Olmsted Community Hospital of natural causes. He was born July 15, 1916 in Laredo, MO. to Arthur Rentfrow and Amelia Searcy -Rentfrow. He spent his childhood in Laredo. He married his grade school sweetheart, Mary Owens, on May 3, 1937, in Cresco, IA. In 1939, they relocated to St. Charles, MN where he started the Home Produce Company. He was drafted into the Army on June 16, 1943 at age 26.He served in George Patton's third army corp. anti-aircraft battalion, Btry B 839. He was honorably discharged in 1945 with a rank of 1st sergeant. Mr Rentfrow established the Home Produce Poultry and Egg buying business on January 6, 1939 to present. During his 2 year Army service his wife, Mary continued the operations of their business with locations in St. Charles and Lanesboro. He also established Midwest Commodities, a brokerage company. Russell served on the Minnesota Dairy and Poultry Marketing board for 15 years. He served as President for 3 years. In addition, Mr. Rentfrow served on the National Poultry and Egg board for 4 years. He was a charter member of the St. Charles Lions Club since 1947, past Commander and member of St. Charles American Legion for over 60 years. In 1966 he was recognized 'Outstanding Citizen' by the St. Charles Area Jaycees.Russell served on the St. Charles City Council as well as the St. Charles Methodist Church board in various capacities. For Several years he served as a member and past president of the Winona County Fair Board. In 1979 he was inducted to the Winona County Fair Hall of Fame. Mr. Rentfrow was named 'Honorary FFA Chapter Farmer' and a 4-H achievement award winner. He is survived by a daughter, Nancy R. Rentfrow, of Grand Forks, ND He also leaves many cousins and friends in the St. Charles area. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, in 2004. Mr. Rentfrow loved the City of St. Charles and he operated Home Produce with a sense of corporate consciousness within the context of the community, his employees and fellow businessmen. His entrepreneurial spirit has greatly contributed to the success of St. Charles and its citizens. Visitation will be from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm at the United Methodist Church inSt. Charles. Memorials are preferred to the St. Charles Foundation for Academic Excellence. Hoff Funeral Homes - St. Charles Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Please leave a memory of Russell, sign his online guestbook and view his tribute video when it becomes available online at www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/68661