Janice Irene Renaud

JANICE IRENE RENAUD (nee BECKER) was called home to the Lord on Sept. 8, 2024, where she was joyfully reunited with her late husband, Ronald Renaud, in the loving arms of Jesus Christ.

Jan was born Feb. 3, 1938, in St. Louis, Mo., to the late Frank and Cecelia (nee Horosiewicz) Becker. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her son-in-law, Carlos Riojas; her daughter, Carol Renaud; and her great-granddaughter, Jadzia Renaud. Devoted mother of Joseph (Anita) Renaud, Joyce (Ted) Rogers, Jerome (Laura) Renaud, and James (Shelly) Renaud. Loving grandmother of Joshua (Yolange), Justin (Becca), and Jonathan (Brittney) Renaud; Dion Riojas; Jeremy (Laura) and Lauren Renaud; Aaron (Kristel), Ariel and Anna Renaud. Our dear great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, niece and friend.

Jan grew up in north St. Louis near Walnut Park, with her older brother Jack and two younger sisters, Marcy and Connie.

From an early age, Jan developed a deep love for dogs, sparked by her dad, who kept German shepherds at home. When she wanted a bike, she earned money by hawking bananas on a busy street corner near the St. Louis Army Ammunition Plant. Driven and competitive, she played basketball and volleyball.

In the 1950s, the Becker family moved to Darby Street near Pine Lawn, not far from the home of Ronald Renaud, a hard-working, athletic boy Jan's age who also attended St. Paul's Catholic Church and went to De Andreis High School.

They began dating. No matter whether they went out for a night at the movie theater or spent an afternoon at the watermelon stand, they could be sure that a neighbor across the street would be watching them.

Jan and Ron married in 1958, two years after they graduated. Early on, they lived upstairs in her parents' home. Their own family began growing with the arrival of baby Joe in 1959, followed by Carol, Joyce, Jerry and Jim in quick succession. To make ends meet, Jan worked as a secretary for a while, relying on her mom and sisters for help with the kids.

Jan had her hands full, and Ron worked long hours as the manager of an A&P grocery store. But sometimes they could get away and socialize with other couples. With the Mustangs Athletic Club, they picnicked in parks, hosted card nights, or went out dancing. Jan enjoyed getting "dolled up" to go out, sometimes with the help of her sisters, who would put on her makeup and do her hair.

In the 1970s, Ron got a civil service job which required the family to move first to Iowa, then Virginia, and finally San Antonio, Texas. These were tough years for Jan. Far away from her family in St. Louis, she had no support system to help her when Ron was gone on business trips for his new job.

So she raised her wild bunch as best she could, caring for them selflessly. Her kids still wonder today how she was able to do it. She learned to drive in Iowa, to get the kids where they needed to go.

Driving could also be an escape, a way to relieve stress after an argument with Ron. Another welcome distraction was fishing with her family off the banks of sloughs near the Rock Island Arsenal.

While they lived in Iowa and Virginia, Ron brought Jan and the kids back to St. Louis for vacation as often as he could, giving her a chance to visit her mom and sisters. And no matter where she lived, Jan remained a lifelong fan of the baseball Cardinals.

In San Antonio, Jan began to put down roots. It would be home for the rest of her life, except for a brief, reluctant return to Virginia.

Her faith began to deepen, too, after her mom and Ron each received salvation. Jan and Ron began holding a family service in their home. Later, when their kids began dating, they encouraged them to attend prayer meetings.

Before long, there were wedding bells and babies, and Jan became a devoted grandmother. Each year, she and Ron hosted the whole family for big Christmas breakfasts. They always made sure to prepare "S.O.S.", one of those love-it-or-hate-it staples. The house was full of dogs and noise.

Faith became even more important for Jan after Ron died in 1996. She and Carol began attending Alamo Baptist Church, and they took the dogs and moved into a smaller home. When Carol's own health declined and she was confined to bed, Jan became her caregiver. It was a thankless, physically demanding task, which she did without complaint. Together, Jan and Carol would watch political and religious programs and listen to music. They shared a yearning for heaven.

After Carol died in 2012, Jan's daughter Joyce and son-in-law Ted built a suite for Jan at their ranch. She loved nature and the animals and sitting by the campfire. She was thrilled to take a cruise to Alaska with Joyce and Ted, and she enjoyed road trips back to St. Louis to visit her siblings.

In her final years, Jan was afflicted with dementia. But throughout her sufferings, she often laughed and smiled and gave big, strong hugs. We rejoice that she is now healed and free from pain, resting in the embrace of her savior. We will treasure our memories of her love, grace, and devotion, while looking forward to the day we will be reunited with her in heaven.

In lieu of flowers, the family recommends the following charities for memorial gifts as their causes were near and dear to our Mother.

German Shepherd Rescue of Texas

Wounded Warrior Project