Linda Marie Renk

Linda Marie (Schonack) Renk

Linda Renk of Janesville, WI passed away on Friday, September 5, 2025. She was born on June 4, 1952, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Russell and Leone (Panter) Schonack. Growing up in Milwaukee, Linda was actively involved in school activities, played violin in the orchestra, and was a member of Future Teachers of America along with several other clubs. She continued her education at UW-Whitewater and graduated with a teaching degree (1974). On July 14, 1973, she married Andrew Renk in Milwaukee, WI and started a family in Janesville, WI.

After enjoying her career as mom, she began her journey as a teacher and decided to acquire her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction at UW-Whitewater (1997). As she pursued her teaching and studies, she became interested in getting her Lutheran Teacher Colloquy from Concordia University (2002) to enhance her theological background and to make a difference in her classroom as well as her career opportunities.

She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-aunt who freely gave her time and resources to family, friends and students. Linda was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Janesville, WI and absolutely adored all things “school”. She was an educator at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with School in Delevan, WI for 25 years. In her retirement, “Mrs. Renk” was most often seen teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, substitute teaching at St. Paul’s and Our Redeemer, grading papers for her fellow teachers, and tutoring students. And while she was not a runner, dancer, piano player, or actress herself, she always enjoyed watching family run cross-country and attended every recital, school play, and concert.

Linda is survived by her husband, Andrew Renk, her daughters, Deborah Renk, Dawn (Nick) Mastroianni and her grandchildren Dominique, Michael, and Amelia. She is also survived by her father Russell Schonack of Aurora, CO, sister Gwen (Rich) Magner of Little Elm, TX, brother Mark (Becky) Schonack of Aurora, CO, and brother-in-law Tony (Patty) Renk of Ellsworth, WI, as well the children and grandchildren of her siblings. She was preceded in death by her mother, Leone Schonack.

A very special thank you to the staff at both Mercy Hospital and Edgerton Hospital and Health Services who took care of her during the last weeks of her life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lymphoma Research Foundation or the American Heart Association.

Services for Linda will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, October 17, 2025, at HENKE-CLARSON FUNERAL HOME, 1010 N. Wright Road, Janesville to be officiated by Jim Breytung. Visitation will be from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Friday, October 17th at HENKE-CLARSON FUNERAL HOME. Online condolences are welcome at www.henkeclarson.com