Renate Highfield

Renate Highfield, nee Brenner, 73, of Lebanon, Ill., passed away Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014, in her home with her family by her side.

Renate was born April 8, 1941, in Trier Germany, the youngest of 13 children, to Karl and Margarete, nee Gobel, Brenner (both deceased). In December 1964 she married Arthur "Jay" Highfield in Wiesbaden, Germany.

She is survived by her husband, Jay Highfield, whom she would have been married to for 50 years this December; children, Jason Jay (Laurie) Highfield and Susan "Kristiana" (John) Carnaghi; six grandchildren, Isabelle Renate Highfield, Juliette Annaleise Highfield, Keira Roselyn Highfield, John Paul Angelo Carnaghi, Tristan Michael Carnaghi and Austin Jay Carnaghi; sisters, Gertrude Wingerath and Eliusabeth Lauer, both of Germany; many nieces and nephews and cousins all throughout Europe; beloved sisters and brothers-in-law, Kathy (Art) Horn, Terry (Dianne) Highfield, BJ Farley, Linda Sue Witkos and David (Melody) Highfield.

She was also preceded in death by her son, Richard Michael Highfield, who was born Dec. 31, 1965, and died March 31, 1966, and who was the first baby to have open heart surgery by Dr. Denton A. Cooley and Dr. Michael E. DeBakey. Dr. Cooley will forever be in debt to Renate and Jay regardless of the outcome of the surgery because of the knowledge learned from performing the procedure. Renate and Richard will once again be together as he is on his way home to be with his mother after so many years.

Renate worked as the I T professional for Marsh Company in Belleville, Ill., for 11 years. She loved her time there and enjoyed the people she worked with very much.

Renate's heart was always giving and loving. After the death of her father-in-law, she took on the care giving to her special needs brother-in-law, Reed Highfield, without hesitation, to prevent him from going into a home. She cared for him; made sure he had a job and a ride to work, for almost 20 years, and never complained. She made sure Jason, Laurie, Isabelle Juliette and Keira always had a Sunday meal that she loved to cook. Renate supported her daughter, Kristiana, with endless hours of babysitting so she could write a book. She was an amazing Oma to all of her grandchildren. Her dedication to her German Club for Essen was never missed and her love for her friends in the club was unmatched. Renate would never miss a Cardinals game and should it fall on German Club night it was recorded.

Visitation: A memorial visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, 2014, at Meyer Funeral Home, Lebanon, Ill.

Funeral: A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014, at College Hill Cemetery, Lebanon, Ill.

MEYER FUNERAL HOME, Lebanon, Ill.

Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/belleville/obituary.aspx?pid=172225761#storylink=cpy