Leo Dean Rentz, longtime resident of Moose Lake, died in Mercy Hospital on Monday, January 6 ^th , 2020 at the age of 81. He was born in St. James, MN on September 28 ^th , 1938 to Fred and Melida (Klaviter) Rentz.

Leo grew up on the family farm outside of LaSalle, MN with his parents and three siblings. Memories from the farm remained important to him throughout the rest of his life. Leo graduated from St. James High School in 1956. Upon graduation, he worked as a meat cutter at the St. James meat market and also worked for the John Deere Implement in St. James. October 3 ^rd , 1959 was the day Leo married Carol Bohm in Augustana Lutheran Church of St. James. Together they would move throughout the state of Minnesota for work while raising their three sons. Leo worked for the Kettle River and Cloquet Co-ops before managing the Moose Lake Co-op from 1977 – 2003. He also served one term as Mayor of Moose Lake from 1982 – 1984. Leo spent much of his spare time wood-working, maintaining flower beds, filling bird feeders, and building butterfly habitats. Together, Leo and Carol travelled 49 of the 50 US States on motorcycle, including Hawaii. He was a hard-working, detail-oriented man that had a love for plants and nature. Leo was an active community member; both a Gideons member and Kiwanis Member whom volunteered many hours, especially flipping pancakes during Agate Days Celebrations. He was a faithful man, too, being a member of Hope Lutheran Church and teaching confirmation classes at Our Saviors Lutheran Church of Cloquet and Hope Lutheran Church of Moose Lake. Leo will be remembered as kind and bold, and his story-telling skills will certainly be missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Melida; brother, Robert Rentz; and sisters, Ruth Yates and Florence Rentz.

Leo's memory will be cherished by his wife of 60 years, Carol; sons, Mike (Jessye) Rentz, Ken (Noell) Rentz, and Dan Rentz; grandchildren, Ashley, Karley, Hayley, and Brayden Rentz; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

A visitation to honor Leo's life will be held on Friday, January 10 ^th , 2020 in Hope Lutheran Church from 10am until the 11am funeral service. Pastor Larry Johnson and Deacon Wendy Hjelmberg will officiate.