Scarlett Ann Renze

1950-2024

Scarlett Ann Renze, 74, of Waseca, Minnesota, died on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at her home in Waseca.

Scarlett was born June 6, 1950, in Carroll, Iowa, to G. Arthur and Florence “Flop” (Pettigrew) Minnich. She grew up in Carroll, where she attended Carroll High School and graduated with the Class of 1968. She was known for her red hair, big personality, and who — together with her squad of girlfriends — was always “in the know.” Everyone knew Scarlett.

At 14, Scarlett met Ken, the love of her life. Their high school romance blossomed, and they married on Aug. 29, 1969. Married life began in Germany during Ken’s U.S. Army service. Milwaukee became their next stop, as Ken pursued his college education. Eventually, they settled in Waseca and found their forever home, where they raised their four children.

For 30 years, Scarlett ran a nurturing day care from their home. With a revolving door of friends coming and going — she was always there, working, and ready for coffee and conversation. Retiring in 2007, Scarlett left a legacy of having been a second mom to countless Waseca children, becoming an integral part of the community. Everyone knew Scarlett.

Scarlett frequented the library for love stories, led her after-supper coffee club with her girlfriends at Happy Chef, enjoyed sewing, and loved flowers and bird-watching, particularly cardinals. She often did the latter with a drink in one hand and her phone in the other. Most importantly, Scarlett thrived on running into people while running errands — it was her way of staying up to date on the latest news around town. She was everywhere. And everyone knew Scarlett.

She was also very active in Waseca. She served as an election judge, spent many years supporting the Waseca Band Boosters and was an empathetic friend to many. Her dedication was ultimately recognized with the honor of being grand marshal of the Waseca Marching Classic, where she was paraded through town in the back of a convertible. Everyone knew Scarlett.

Scarlett was an awesome, self-taught cook and baker, famous for her homemade cookies. She loved traveling the world, especially with her family. Together with Ken, she saw the sights of Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and most recently, a second trip to Colombia, where she brought cookies for her extended family. She always spoke fondly of the people she met on her adventures, even considering many of them like family. Everyone knew Scarlett.

Scarlett will be remembered for her fiery, red hair and personality, her loyalty to family and friends, her happiness, sassiness, rule-breaking spirit, spontaneity, and ever-present smile. She was a force, and her grandchildren fondly referred to her as their “mean grandma,” a title of which she was proud.

Scarlett is survived by her husband: Ken, of Waseca, Minnesota; children: Sarah (Michael) Peterson of Mantorville, Minnesota, Megan (George Aguilar) Renze of Mendham, New Jersey, Katie Gogo of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Jacob (Karina Elze) Renze of Minneapolis, Minnesota; her seven grandchildren: Tyler (and his wife Megan), Nathan, Rachael, Nia, Sam, Georgie, and Matteo; her siblings: Corey (Kay) Minnich of Mound, Minnesota, and Jeff (Carolyn) Minnich of Carroll, Iowa; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Don (JoAnn) Renze of Omaha, Nebraska, Larry (Anita) Renze of St. Charles, Missouri, Pat Davis of Fremont, Nebraska, and Bob (Julie) Renze of Perry, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents: father-in-law George Renze and mother-in-law Dorothy (Nagl) Renze; her aunt Ann Stainton; her uncle Bob Pettigrew; and her niece Beth Vandersnick.

Services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, July 1, at State Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca. Visitation will be held on Monday, one hour before the service, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca. All are invited to celebrate Scarlett’s life with a toast of Jameson — Ken and Scarlett’s favorite — at the Boat House Restaurant.