Rena M. Mennen, 85, of Lafayette, passed away on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at her home.  She was born June 20, 1935, in Lafayette to the late Fred and Lillian (Flynn) Smith.

Rena graduated from St Francis High School and on September 25, 1954, she married Richard A. Mennen in Lafayette and he survives.

After raising her 5 children, Rena worked for Fleischauer Rentals for 6 years as a Housekeeping Manager

She was a life member of St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Cathedral.  Rena’s gift was to serve others.  Even her family didn’t know all she helped as she didn’t want to lose her crowns of glory because she knew they belonged to Jesus.  Her first love was God, then her husband, and then her family.  She was known by friends and family of her giving heart. Whether that was to listen, do errands, help elderly do budgets, or driving people to the doctor’s appointments. When she was diagnosed with Mesothelioma, her first thought (with tears) was she wouldn’t be able to prepare a meal for the Habitat for Humanities workers.  Family made sure this happened in her honor.

Rena was very family oriented and enjoyed spending time with her children and her sisters and nieces and nephews.  She married the love of her life and they celebrated 66 years of marriage in September.  They were an example to their children how to live  an honest loving life with God being center.

Rena enjoyed gardening and crafts and having friends over to play cards and board games.  She loved to entertain.

Surviving along with her husband are her children Michael S. Mennen (Shirley) of Lafayette, Michelle M. (Frank) Spear of Mulberry, Jill M. (John) Aldridge of Lafayette, Kimberly A. (Robert) Steiner of Talbott, TN, Richard L. Mennen of Lafayette, grandchildren Nicholas Mennen, Adam Mennen, Aaron Aldridge, Kaitlyn Henderson, Keith Freestone, Elizabeth Hudgens, Nicole Seals, Craig Steiner, great grandchildren Noble Mennen, Kinzley Aldridge, Jonah Henderson, Aden Hudgens, Wesley Hudgens and Rand Freestone; sister, Catherine Ferguson of Lafayette.

Rena was preceded in death by her siblings Helen Dewey, Evelyn Ulrich, Dolores Bolander and Fredrick L. Smith.

Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am on Monday, January 25, 2021 at St Mary Cathedral, Father Tony Roland officiating.  Interment will be at St. Mary Cemetery in Lafayette.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, 1615 L Street Suite 430, Washington DC, 20036 or St Mary Immaculate Conception Cathedral,1207 Columbia St, Lafayette, IN 47901.