Ruey Renee Grotjohn

Reneé Grotjohn, 70, of McCall, Idaho, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 25, 2018.  Reneé was born October 1st, 1947 in Omak ,WA to Pauline and Norman Adkins.  She was the middle sibling of their five children.  She was raised in the Boise, Idaho valley on the family farm that originated in 1910 and she attended Boise High School.  In 1964 she married Bland “Sonny” Yelton in Yellow Pine, Idaho on The Dude Ranch, where her family owned and operated the Circle B grocery store.  Into their union was born three children, Robin, Tiffany and Sonya.

In 1985, Reneé married Vernon Grotjohn Sr. and with him brought his three children Bonnie, Becky and Vernon Jr.

Reneé worked as a bookkeeper for Medley Sports for 20 years before she joined Louie and Tracy Howard and the Lardo Loons.  She loved her work family and stayed with them as their bookkeeper for 20 years before retiring. 

She loved the outdoors and camping was a highlight in her life.  She finally overcame her fear of water and rafted down the Grand Canyon three times and later learned to swim.  She loved being on the water and taking in the beauty of the great outdoors.  She even sailed upon the oceans, taking several cruises with Vernon and even going to Jamaica and Tahiti. 

Reneé was an avid bowler and dedicated a lot of her life to the sport and even introduced her three children to the love of the game.  In 1980, her children got the phone call to come and watch, “it looks like your mom is going to bowl a 300!”  We got there around the 7th frame of the 3rd game and we got to watch our mom finish her game at 299 and leaving a “wigglin” 5 pin.  She bowled 3 games over 200 leaving her with an 800+ series.  We were so proud of her.  She was able to bowl in tournaments and leagues with her sisters and two of her children.

In her later years, you would not get away without playing a hand of cards if you visited.  She played cribbage with Vern or rummy if they had company like a ritual after each meal.  “I think they took turns cheating”.

Reneé is survived by her husband, Vernon, her sisters Oleta (Paul) McDonald of Arizona, Christine Alvarado of New Mexico, her son Robin (Kim) Yelton of Caldwell, Idaho, her daughters Tiffany (Brad) Bowen of Mountain Home, Idaho, Sonya Yelton of Meridian, Idaho, Bonnie Allen of Chino Hills, California, Becky (Ed) Giroux of San Bernardino, and son Vernon Jr. (Caroline) Grotjohn of Lewiston, Idaho, her 16 grandchildren: Stephanie Bowen, Christopher Yelton, Blake Bowen, Mykala Yelton, Jennifer Bingham, Christopher Bingham, Jennifer Hernandez, Christie Savage, Jeffery Allan, Stephanie Carr, Heather Fisher, Brandon Trenton, JR Grotjohn, Denise Whitman, Brian Giroux, Katie Valenzuela and many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Reneé was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Harold Adkins and her sister LaDonna Chandler Rodgers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to:

McPaws Regional Animal Shelter

P.O. Box 1375

McCall, Idaho 83638-1375

The family of Reneéwould like to thank:

Vernon Grotjohn Sr.  Vern, we want to thank you for all you endured in sickness and in health.  You were a solid rock and we want you to know we love and appreciate all you did, the care and the love you had and have for our mom.

Louie and Tracy Howard, Jared and Danielle Howard.  Thank you for your time, love and support.

St. Luke’s of McCall, Dr. Witte, Dr. Burica and all the hospital staff.  A special thank you to Nancy Cusseler and the Hospice team.  You all were a phenomenal help to us.

There will be a celebration of Reneé's life on Sunday, March 11th at 2:00 p.m. at Lardo’s located at 600 West Lake Street, McCall, Idaho

If desired, you may leave a note or message and sign Renee’s online guest register at www.mccallfunerals.com

Arrangements in care of McCall Funeral Home, McCall, Idaho

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