Renate Schwarz Stollenwerk was born May 30, 1939, in Frankfurt Germany and died November 21, 2024, at Murphy Rehabilitation and Nursing Home, Murphy, North Carolina. Renate is survived by her husband Josef August Stollenwerk, Blairsville, Georgia; daughter, Therésa Martini (Val), two grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, one great-great- grandchild, nieces, and nephews. Additionally, Renate is survived by stepchildren from Josef: Wayne Stollenwerk (Ursula), Sharon Boaz (Alan), Carolyn Maselli, and David Stollenwerk (Brittany) along with ten step- grandchildren and multiple step-great-grandchildren. Renate was predeceased by her daughter Ilse Vanessa; parents Emil and Elisabeth Schwarz; siblings Arthur, Wolfgang, Ruth, Ilse, and Gerda.

Renate experienced a bittersweet transatlantic crossing in 1952 on the ocean liner "Italia", turning 13 on her voyage to the United States with her sister Ilse but sadly having to leave her mother, and three siblings in their war-torn homeland. Frankfurt had been decimated by almost 75 bombings obliterating 90,000 of the 177,600 apartments, most public buildings, schools, churches, and hospitals. Her sister Ruth lovingly arranged for Renate and Ilse to live with a caring foster family, Percy and Anne Walker, a childless couple in their fifties in Knoxville, Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Walker welcomed Renate and Ilse into their home allowing Renate to complete high school and attend Hiawassee and Berea colleges. Renate was married in 1957 in Rabun Gap, Georgia, and started her family in Knoxville. Moving to Atlanta, Georgia in 1960, she began a career in photography and modeling. In 1965 she worked at Sabena Airlines and then transitioned to KLM the Royal Dutch Airlines-- first as District Manager and later as Regional Sales Manager promoting and booking aircraft space and destination group tours for worldwide travel. She worked directly with travel brokers, agents, and large organizations such as the Watchtower, Bible, and Tract Society booking flight space and reduced travel fares for delegates of International and Special Conventions. After raising both daughters as a single parent, Renate married Josef August Stollenwerk on December 10, 1982. She helped him rebuild his business after the death of his wife, Doris. Josef recognized Renate's contributions remarking: "If not for my wife, Renate, my business would never have done as well as it did.. After retirement, Renate devoted much of her time and energy in a volunteer Bible Education ministry. She enjoyed helping many to learn the Bible and its wonderful promise at Revelation chapter 21: 3-5. "With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: 'Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.' And the One seated on the throne said: 'Look! I am making all things new.' Also, he says: 'Write, for these words are faithful and true.'

Renate's Memorial Service will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 11 Paradise Road, Blairsville, Georgia 30512 on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.