Renee Schilman, age 84, originally of New Ulm, MN passed away on Friday, January 3, 2025, at the Sholom Home East Long Term Care in St. Paul, MN.

Memorial service will be 1:00 pm Friday, January 10, 2025, at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home – South Chapel with Pastor Kathy Ulland-Klinkner officiating. Burial will follow in the New Ulm City Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the Funeral Home.

Renee is survived by her daughters, Janell Yamada Schilman (Hideki) of West Saint Paul, Amy Mimm (Jeff) of Eagan, and Bonnie Schilman of Inver Grove Heights, grandchildren Molly, Eric and Kenji.  Sisters, Susan Jacobs (Dennis), Janet Dalluge, Julia Rieger (Gerald), sister in law Diane Konakowitz and friend Maggie Orosz.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Orval Schilman, siblings and in-laws Gerald Schroeder (Jackie), Tom Konakowtiz and Katherine (Charles) Runck, and Mike Dalluge, nephews and nieces Glen Dalluge, Dean Runck, Jill Hilleshiem, Mark Konakowitz, Erica Rieger and Michael Rieger and great niece Beth DeZeeuw.

Renee Konakowitz was born March 23, 1940, to Albertina (Kroening) Konakowitz and Wilard Schroder. She was raised by her loving mother and father Adolph Konakowitz. She graduated from New Ulm Public High School in 1958 earning a scholarship to attend Mankato State College, where she received her Bachelor's degree in Nursing in  1962. She married Orval Schilman August 31, 1963. She was employed at Union Hospital and taught at the New Ulm School of Practical Nursing for 12 years. She was also employed as a lab technician at the Supersweet Feeds Research Farms in Courtland, Minnesota.

Renee was a lifelong learner who embraced intellectual curiosity.  When her children where younger, she volunteered for Special Olympics, New Ulm Public Schools, the American Cancer Society and the Ladies Auxiliary for the Minnesota National Guard, New Ulm. Later, Renee enjoyed new interests with Toastmasters, participating in choir and handbells at both Redeemer Lutheran Church in New Ulm and Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Renee was an artist with crochet, sewing, crafts and cake decorating.

In the last years of her life, her greatest joy was her grandchildren, Molly, Eric and Kenji. Her love, attention, wisdom and support will be missed.

Special thank you to all the staff at Sholom Home East Long Term Care for the compassionate care and love given to Renee the last years of her life.