Esther Renaud

Esther Dorothy (Watt) Renaud passed away peacefully late April 20, 2016 from Lymphoma, surrounded by her family at her daughter Chris’s home, and her home for the last 14 months. Esther was born to Edith Alvina (Nielsen) and Henry Larsen Watt on December 11, 1926, in the home of her paternal grandparents, Martha Louisa J. (Laursen) and Jeppe Madsen Watt in Fremont, Nebraska. Esther attended school in Fremont, Nebraska, Elkton, Missouri, and Gering, Nebraska where she graduated high school in 1944. She attended Concordia Teacher’s College in Seward, Nebraska, and received her bachelor’s degree from The University of Denver in Colorado. She taught elementary school at Faith Lutheran School and Redeemer Lutheran School in Denver, Colorado, and served as an organist and pianist for many of the churches she belonged to over the years. She worked several years as a telephone operator, as a chemist for the Denver Federal Center analyzing soil and rocks, and as a sewing instructor at Sears. Later she worked at Merry Moppets Child Care Center, and finally from home as a clothing designer and seamstress. Esther was multi-talented, and shared her passion for music and sewing, and love for children whenever she could. Esther married John William (Bill) Renaud on November 7, 1951.Together they had five children; Jonathan Renaud of Bali, Indonesia, Daniel Renaud of Denver, Christina (Renaud) Cogswell (Kevin) of Lakewood, Timothy Renaud (Wendy) of Thornton, Colorado, and infant daughter Kimberly Renaud; Grandchildren: Candice Trites, Wendy Trites, Kimberly Cantrell (Connor), Andrew Cogswell (Caroline), Sean Renaud (Angelica), Cara Rafferty (William), Amanda Schindele (Trenton), and Benjamin Cogswell; Great grand children: Colin Rafferty, Declan Cantrell, and Eleanor Rafferty. Esther is survived by her children and their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses, great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Esther was preceded in death by her husband, grandparents, parents, Infant daughter, Kimberly, brother, Everett Watt, sister, Evelyn Carroll, and brothers and sisters-in-law. Esther had a great love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a talented crafter and seamstress, and admirer of art, using all these talents to knit, crochet, paint, and sew gifts for everyone she loved. Together with her husband Bill, she built several harps and enjoyed playing duets with her sister, Evelyn. She adored playing with children, especially her great grandchildren, and shared a beautiful bond with them up until her last day. She passionately collected anything Mickey Mouse, which she would share with everyone she knew. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Blessed be the memory of Esther Dorothy (Watt) Renaud.