Rena Kay Miller, 74, of Newton died on Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at Unity Point Iowa Methodist Medical Center. No services are scheduled at this time. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Memorials in Rena’s name (checks made payable to Linda Roovaart) may be left at the funeral home.
Rena, the daughter of Oron Kirby and Coleen (Rexroat) Thompson, was born on October 6, 1946 in Newton. She was a lifelong resident of Newton. Rena was married and sadly widowed three times. She was an Inspector at the Maytag Company for 30 years, retiring in 2001. Rena was a member of the UAW Local 997. She enjoyed camping and fishing and loved her dogs, Pee Wee, K.C., and Elvis. She enjoyed pulling a good prank and had an infectious laugh when she was being ornery. Rena also liked listening to 50’s and 60’s music, riding horses, and going to car shows. She loved her blue Mustang. Rena was a talented seamstress and made blankets, scarves, hats, and sweaters for her dogs. Rena’s personality fit her love of glitter and sparkles and she was known to throw glitter in the air and let it rain down wherever it may.
Rena is survived by her life partner, Linda Roovaart of Newton; children, Kenneth (Laura) McCollum of Newton, Veda McCollum of Des Moines, and John (Angie) McCollum of Urbandale; son-in-law, Everett Whennen of Boone; her grandchildren, Coletta (Jason) Whennen, A.J. Brown, Tammatha McCollum, Keith (Carrie) McCollum, Kendi McCollum, Catherine McCollum, Charli McCollum, David Hagen, Alexander (Stephanie) Hagen, Danielle Lynn, and Lauren (Jeremy) Fischels; nine great-grandchildren and one on the way; her siblings, Linda Long of Newton and Rick Thompson of Newton; and brother-in-law, Gary Bird, Sr. . She was preceded in death by her parents; three husbands, Kenny Brant, Charles Edward McCollum, and Clarence Miller; daughter, Coleen Kay “Katie” Whennen; sister, Sandra Bird; and two brothers, Rex Thompson and John D. Thompson.
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