Renee Oquist, of Braham, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones in the early morning of May 7, 2016. She chose to rejoin her beloved father, Erick, on his birthday.
Renee was born Clare Renee Siljendahl on February 1, 1929, in Minneapolis to Erick and Esther (Hedman) Siljendahl. She grew up on the family farm in Spring Vale, MN; attending school in Cambridge through her junior year. The family then made the decision to move closer to town, settling into a humble home in Braham. Renee completed her senior year in Braham, graduating in 1948. Soon after, while making her way in the world, she met a tall, handsome man who would become her husband. Renee and Trygve Lervik were married in April of 1951. This joyful union also made her the mother to Trygve’s three year old son, Thomas. The years to follow brought much joy, including the birth of two more children, Brett and Barbara. The fairy tale ended too soon when Trygve died unexpectedly of a heart attack in 1956.
Newly widowed, Renee relied on her strength, as she was determined to be a good mother even in the face of tragedy. As fate would have it, she wouldn’t have to do it alone. Lightning struck a second time, and love intervened again. She met Edwin Oquist on what could have just been another ordinary day. She was taken with his blue eyes and gentle ways. He too, was quickly smitten; having gone home to ask his niece, Joyce, if she would teach him to dance, explaining he had met a wonderful woman who loved dancing. His kindness and dancing skills were more than she bargained for. The romantic whirlwind led to a fruitful marriage that spanned four decades. They welcomed the birth of four more children into their lives. Their brood grew from three to seven by 1963 with the addition of Beverly, Bonnie, Brian, and Brenda.
Renee loved family gatherings, and often opened her home to entertaining. She was the life of any party and the ‘Hostess with the Mostess.’
Renee was preceded in death by her parents Erick and Esther Siljendahl; brother, Clifford Siljendahl; husbands, Trygve Lervik and Edwin Oquist; children, Thomas Lervik, Brett Lervik, and Brenda Oquist.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Dorothy Siljendahl; children, Barbara Lervik of Minneapolis, Beverly Oquist of Braham, Bonnie and Robert Dallman of Braham, and Brian and Michelle Oquist of Braham; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; as well as countless other family and friends.
She loved deeply, listened intently and cared endlessly. She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at the Braham Ev. Lutheran Church. Interment will be in the Rice Lake Cemetery in Braham. Arrangements are by the Rock Ingebrand Funeral Home of Braham. Condolences may be posted at www.aifuneralhome.com.