Renata Cowman
March 1, 1931 ~ September 5, 2023
Renata Cowman, 92, of Highmore, passed away Tuesday, September 5, 2023,at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls.
Memorial Mass will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 11, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Highmore with Father Paul Josten, celebrant. Burial with follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Highmore. Wake and rosary will be 5:00 p.m., Sunday, September 10, 2023, at the church.
Renata was born in Zell, South Dakota on March 1, 1931, to Agnes (Goad) and John B. Weiss. After graduating from Redfield High School, she met Jerry Cowman while working at the dime store in Highmore. They married on September 4, 1952. Their marriage was blessed with seven children. They were married 63 years when Jerry passed in 2016.
They spent most of their married years in Highmore. For a time, they owned the Frosty Freeze where Renata honed her potato salad and coleslaw-making skills. Renata also served many years in the Office of Hyde County Director of Equalization and later as a Hyde County Commissioner. As a result of those years, the courthouse gang was an important part of her extended family which grew to include the Brueggeman family for whom she provided childcare service.
She loved her faith, time with family and friends, playing cards, preparing meals (including gravy), singing, and giving gifts. She was especially happy when spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who referred to her as “Great Grandma,” “Big Grandma,” and “Memaw.” Not to forget one of her favorite pastimes was "twinning" with her favorite sister, Maxine. In addition, she spent much time at the Senior Citizen Center, and stopping at her favorite gathering places; she had a unique ability to attract invaluable and lifelong friends, and rarely spent time alone.
Renata is survived by her children, Jeryl (Rod) Bean of Belle Fourche, Jack (Jan) of Spearfish, Deb (Herb) Jones of Yankton, Dianne (Jimmy) Roberts of Hulett, WY, Jerald Price “J.P.” (Jody) of Moorcroft, WY, and Joni (Rod Ruen) of Pierre; sister, Maxine Myers of Alpena, MI; sisters-in-law: Peg Cowman of Indian Wells, CA and Patty Weiss of Hot Springs; 16 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jerry; son, James; grandson, John K. Cowman; and brothers: Raphael (Neva) Weiss, Willard (Jean) Weiss, Delbert (Lois) Weiss, and Jack Weiss; and brother and sister-in-law: Jerry Myers and Sharon Cowman.
Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Renata's arrangements.
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My condolences to the family on the passing of your mother, grandmother and maybe great grandmother. She was a fixture around the Hyde County courthouse for years and always had something to say to me. Often it was a gentle sarcastic jibe and I enjoyed her wit.
Hugs and prayers. Loved Renata. So sorry for your loss.
Love Tracy
Our deepest sympathy for Jack and his family. Sending much love and prayers for peace and comfort.
Prayers for your family!!
Condolences to the family. She was a wonderful woman and a great friend to my mom. She will be missed by all. Rest in peace
So sorry to hear Renata passed away. I enjoyed seeing her on my visits back to Highmore. She will be missed by many.
So sorry to hear that Renata passed. She will be missed by all who knew her. Years ago they had personal property taxes. You had to fill out a pages of forms that stated what you had in your home that you paid taxes on . I might still have it but dad had written on his…one pair of long johns ..with holes, as a joke. and Renata wrote under thatt .. how big are the holes? She was quite a lady and quick witted.
My sympathy to Renata’s family. Loved seeing her at the clinic with her great sense of humor and kind and caring ways. Beautiful lady inside and out!! She will be so missed!
So sorry for your loss. It was nice seeing everyone this summer in Hulett at a much happier time.