Michael David Renek

Michael David Renek was born on October 16, 1945 in Hollywood, California to Harry and Florence Renek. He was the oldest of 3 children, Mike, Dana (Kathy) and Diane Killian (Michael). The family lived for a time in Southern California but then moved to Kansas where Harry worked as an actor in Wichita. By the time Mike was 12 years old his father and mother had separated. Florence and the 3 children moved back to California. Mike attended school there until his senior year when the family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where he graduated from high school. At the age of 19 Mike moved back to Wichita, Kansas where his father Harry lived and got a job at Wesleyan Hospital helping to form the first Respiratory Therapist department there. He left Kansas and moved back to California where he continued his career in Respiratory Therapy and met his first wife Lois Hansen. They married in the spring of 1975 and subsequently had 2 sons, Joshua born in 1975 and Daniel born in 1977. In the summer of 1985, after he and Lois divorced, Mike moved to Glendale, Arizona where his mom, Florence, lived with his stepfather Sheldon Butterfield. He had left the field of Respiratory Therapy after having medical issues. He then started a new career as a design artist for an Embroidery company. That is when he was introduced to Susan Openshaw Beaver who became his 2nd wife. Mike and Susan together have a family of 6 children. Daniel Renek (Megan), Joshua Renek, Tauni Koch (John), Darrell Gora (Melissa), Jason Hiley (Tiffany), and David Renek. Included in the family are 13 Grandchildren and 7 Great-Grandchildren. He also had many nieces and nephews that knew and loved him as Uncle Mike. Mike and Susan purchased a home in Chandler, Arizona in 1989 and after being self employed for several years with his embroidery art he embarked on a new career with the Chandler Unified School district working at Sanborn Elementary, Basha High School and eventually became a District computer technician floating around to several schools. Although he retired at age 66 from the Chandler schools, he quickly became bored and decided to return part-time back to Sanborn Elementary School to work as a crossing guard and noon aide. Everyone called him Mr. Mike, including the adults, and he was deeply loved by many who knew him there. He is greatly missed as the new school year goes on without him. Mike’s hobbies were building model trains, playing computer games and photography. He spent many hours taking pictures of animals and places around Arizona. He had an artist’s eye for sure. He and Susan lived a quiet life together with the occasional movie and dinner out. YC’s was a favorite restaurant of theirs. After a short illness and a 3 week hospital stay Mike reached the end of his road. He kept fighting to get well but it was not meant to be. He passed away peacefully the morning of October 29, 2020. His services are on Friday, November 6th at Legacy Funeral Home, the time is 12 noon. After the service he will be buried at the Valley of the Sun Cemetery in Chandler. Mike was a kind, gentle man who had many people that loved him. May he rest in peace.