Lisa Regina Renz

Lisa Regina Renz, 60, of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away on Saturday, August 7, 2021. Lisa started working at her parent's bakery when she was 6 years old. At first it was simply helping her parents do any number of small things that they could think of to keep her occupied. Sometimes it was taking care of her younger siblings or stacking coffee cups. She started working in the front of the shop at age 12 earning 50 cents an hour! By the time she was 14 she would be left at the bakery by herself in the afternoons and her dad would come back at 6:00 pm to close up shop and bring her home. She worked at their bakery until they closed it due to her father's cancer. She helped her parent's during her dad's illness and was a rock for her mother when he passed.
She lost a baby boy in 1978 after a fall down the stairs.
Her first daughter was born on March 8, 1981. Stephanie Danielle Renz was an angel here on Earth only for a short time. Lisa had been in labor for 3 days but because it was in her back not stomach the doctor's office told her it wasn't true labor. By the third day her mother said the doctors didn't know what they were talking about and took her to the hospital. Stephanie was born shortly after but the damage had already been done. Stephanie was born with permanent brain damage. She never cried in her entire life. She spent the first 3 months in the NICU with Lisa only leaving the building when her mother was there to sit outside the window and watch Stephanie for her. She was allowed to touch her for only short periods of time but slept and lived right outside the NICU until Stephanie got to come home. Many ups and downs and countless hospital stays marked Stephanie's short life but also love for everyone that met her. Two weeks before her third birthday she passed away.
Lisa had another little girl that was born with her cord wrapped around her throat and never lived outside the womb.
Her 4th and final child was a sweet little girl born only 2 weeks after Lisa buried Stephanie. She had called her Elizabeth the whole time she had known she was a little girl but when she brought her home she had changed her name to Sarah Louise Renz. How hard it was for this young mother to be grieving one child while loving the other one. She struggled with her emotions and the fact that some people told her God had replaced Stephanie with Sarah. Many times, older adults that should have known better, chastised her for still grieving over a child that "would have been a burden all her life" and not just moving on to this perfect almost always smiling baby. Sarah's love and laughter eventually helped draw Lisa back from deep depression but her love for Stephanie stayed just as strong as always.
Lisa was fiercely protective of her younger sister Leslie. Even though she drove her crazy always wanting to ride along when Lisa, Becky and Denise were trying to cruise around and talk to boys. Lisa saved her from dying when she was so sick and couldn't call for help. She also cooked enough food for dinner every night for about 7 months, so that she could pass the "left overs" over the fence that separated their yards in order for her sister and 2 little girls to have food when they didn't have any other means to eat.
Lisa worked for Volunteers of America Mid-States for 30 years. First as a fundraiser helping raise money for the homeless shelters. Then, while she still worked that job, she also was a house manager at their senior housing for low-income elderly. Her last job within VOA was actually at the Unity House, the shelter for families and children. Countless lives were touched by her hard work and dedication!
Lisa was happiest when she was with family and friends singing and dancing. She volunteered at the Poplar Level VFW every Friday night and Sunday afternoon to run the pull tabs at their Bingo. Many people will remember her smiling face and welcoming attitude. On Saturday nights she would sing countless songs and get the crowd dancing and having a great time. She talked often of the special friends from there that had passed on before her. Anita, Jonny Haulk, Norb, PeeWee and all the other wonderful Veterans that encompassed her with their love and friendship. With family her house on Lydia became the main party center for pool parties and karaoke cookouts. Her sister Leslie with her girls Gretchen and Abby would spend hours swimming and having fun. Cousins Sissy and Mark seemed to be there every weekend and when Sissy would sing "Any man of mine" with all the motions she put in everyone would join in singing along.

Lisa suffered from Bi-Polar depression all her adult life and did not have an easy life. Lisa made many mistakes in choices she made in her and Sarah's lives but her love and devotion to Sarah and then her grandbabies is undeniable. The day that Brayden was born as Leslie was driving 90 miles an hour down I-65 to get them to the hospital to see Sarah, Lisa would not let them stop to even go to the bathroom! She just knew the baby was going to be born before she could get there. It was a very short time after they arrived that he made his appearance. Then the twins Gavin and Kamdin were born with double the smiles, double the diapers and double the blessings. When Anna was born Lisa's heart truly over flowed with the special bond and love she shared with this little girl! Ellie is the last and every time Lisa looks at her she sees Sarah as a baby. She expressed many times that she didn't want these two small girls to forget her. Her greatest joy in life was her children and grandchildren!


She was born on October 29, 1960 in Louisville, Kentucky to Edward and Dorothy (Robinson) Renz. She is preceded in death by her Parents, Daughter, Stephanie Danielle Renz.

Lisa is survived by her Daughter, Sarah L Renz (Lance Cox), Sister, Leslie Renz Weakley (Scott Weakley), Grandchildren, Braeden Mays, Gavin Mays, Kamdin Mays, Annalise Cox and Ellany Cox, Nieces, Gretchen Manica (Chad), and Abby Robinson, Great Nieces & Great Nephews, Devin, Allissa, Aurdrey, Brooklyn, Ezekiel, Alena, and Landyn.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Volunteers of America Mid-States.

Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, August 13, 2021 at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions - Southwest Louisville Chapel, (10304 Dixie Hwy). Her Funeral Service will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday, at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions - Southwest Louisville Chapel.