Gone too soon from our lives, on June 12, 2024, Renee Ney (nee Hewitt), at age 67, passed from this world with her family surrounding her. Often, the end makes us remember the beginning, and the beginning for Renee started on July 29, 1956, when she was born to Monica (nee Spotofora) and Clyde Hewitt in Joliet, Illinois. The family of three bounced between Joliet and Springfield, Ill. until they landed in Union Grove, Wis., at the end of her middle school years. This was the town Renee would call home for the remainder of her life. She put down roots just as deep as the roots of the apple and pear trees her dad grew in the yard. It was here, at the age of 14, that their family welcomed the arrival of her brother, Christopher (wife Ann and son Eric). She loved and cared for him and often treated him like she was his second mother. The two were close to the very end. Renee’s high school years passed and she graduated from Union Grove Union High School in 1974. The next several years were filled with spending time with family and friends, working, and leading a small town life. But life in the summer of 1980 certainly got much more exciting. This was the summer that Renee would meet the love of her life, Ricky Ney. He was her brother’s Little League coach and they quickly connected over their love of baseball. Renee, who was a lifelong subscriber to the “you just know” club, knew she had found the one … and then she fell into a mud puddle on their first date to the Fourth of July fireworks … and she was sure it was over. But, her first instincts were right and the next morning he came to see her, he took her for a walk and they discussed all of the things they would do that summer. He was going nowhere. The next 2+ years were filled with learning one another, meeting his extensive family (he came from a family of 8 kids!) and, of course, attending as many Brewers games at County Stadium as possible (the 1982 Brewers, who could resist!). And on July 30, 1983, Ricky and Renee wed at St. Robert’s Bellarmine Parish, and rode off into the sweltering (it was hot that day!) sunset on the back of an antique firetruck. Life didn’t slow down from there. In 1984, the couple welcomed their first child, Rachel and their son Brian in 1988. Renee’s love for her children was never-ending. She would do anything for them: sew Halloween costumes even though sewing was not a natural talent, scream her head off at baseball games in the heat of summer, listen to the same Forensics speech for the umpteenth time, lead the cheering squad as you try to master the saxophone. She wiped their tears even if she was choking back her own. She’d say encouraging words even if she had a hard time believing them herself. She gave of herself to her family in every way she possibly could. This didn’t stop when Rachel and Brian met their spouses and had their own children. She always found more of herself to give. She welcomed her son-in-law Fritz Weitendorf and daughter-in-law, Kristina (nee Jones) with open arms and instantly accepted them as family. And, her grandbabies … nothing could keep her away, not even a Pandemic. Renee was blessed with seven grandchildren. Brian and Kristina have Shay (age 7), Jaxsyn (age 5), Jordy (age 3) and Kyson (age 1). Rachel and Fritz have three children, Evelyn and Charlie (beloved yet sadly departed twins) and Theodore (age 3). We will all help them to remember the woman their grandmother was: a kind, giving person who told silly stories and sang songs to them, and lived to see them laugh (the piles of videos of them giggling in her phone are proof). Renee and Ricky spent the last years of their almost 41 years together enjoying their family, taking short road trips, going to flea markets, hopping onto their Harley for some joyrides, and enjoying bonfires. She loved classic moves, seeing her lilacs bloom, snuggling her dog, Otis, and sunning herself on her deck with a cup of coffee on a beautiful day. The last several months were difficult healthwise for Renee, but she never gave up, she always found more strength and optimism to tap into.

Renee passed in Milwaukee, Wis. with her family at her side. The family would like to thank her many doctors, nurses, and caregivers who fought for her and showed care and compassion through the end. Family and friends are welcome to gather for a memorial at Polnasek Daniels Funeral Home to remember Renee and share their memories with her family from 10am-12pm on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Followed by a memorial service starting at Noon. We are certain that Renee will be smiling down to see those dear to her in one place … how do we know? Well, because as Renee would say, sometimes “you just know.”

https://www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com/obituaries/Renee-A-Ney?obId=31835094