Renee Mae Frederick

Renee Mae Frederick, age 74 of Blue Ball, PA was called home to our Lord on October 21, 2023 at Lancaster General Hospital. Our beloved Nay passed surrounded by her devoted husband of 54 years, Ron, her four daughters, two sons in law, and two of her granddaughters. She left this life well loved.

Renee was born in Coaldale, PA, daughter of the late Paul R and Mearl E (Kistler) Hartung. She rejoiced in worship at St. Paul’s UCC, Bowmansville, and was a founding member of their Quilt Ministry. Renee and Ron, were married on July 19, 1969 and were blessed to welcome four daughters, Gretchen, Sharon, Megan, and Jilian.

Throughout her life, Renee worked & volunteered in many organizations. Her first job was at Heisler’s Cloverleaf Dairy in Tamaqua where she and Ron met - their love of ice cream has always been well known. Renee was a stay-at-home Mom, founded numerous youth groups, girl scout troops, 4-H sewing clubs, and school volunteer organizations depending on the activities her girls were interested in. She later joined Ron in support of the Twin Valley FFA activities and was credited with developing the excel record book for the PA State FFA & their Food For America Curriculum, to name just a few. Renee was recognized for her work by being awarded the PA FFA Honorary Keystone Degree and the National FFA Honorary American Degree. Renee also was an entrepreneur, and owned/operated the local craft shop “The Pin Cushion” for more than 10 years with her longtime friend Rosella Coblentz. Undoubtedly, Renee was strong and willful, a cancer survivor and someone determined to push through some of the toughest battles handed her way. In addition to her courage, Renee’s daughters all inherited her love of driving with the windows down & music playing VERY loudly.

Renee was a renowned seamstress and quilter. For many years she hand-made school bags (hundreds each year) & filled them with school supplies for underprivileged children in West Virginia. One of her greatest joys was to gift quilts to friends, family, and strangers in need of a blessing. All those who were recipients of one of her quilts were indeed blessed.

Renee is survived by her steadfast love, Ronald Lawrence. Four daughters, Gretchen Amy and husband William Dingman of Pitman, Sharon Michele and husband Michael Reifsnyder of Carlisle, Megan Elaine and husband Shannon Martin of Terre Hill, Jilian Diane and husband Jason Brooks of Morgantown. Four granddaughters, Emily Michele, Michaela Hope, Gabrielle Michele, and Miranda Faith. Seven siblings, sister April (Hartung) and husband Kerry Hartranft of New Ringgold, sister Linda (Hartung) and husband Michael Kane of Tamaqua, brother Charles “Butch” and wife Cindy (Wehr) Hartung of Tamaqua, brother Ernest of Tamaqua, sister Lizbeth (Hartung) Domday of Tamaqua, brother Keith and wife Vidhya (Arul) Hartung of Mechanicsburg, sister Paula (Hartung) and husband Thomas of Tamaqua, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Robert P, Rick L, Raymond D, Daniel D, her parents Paul R and Mearl E (Kistler) Hartung, and her grandparents, Gordon J and Myrtle E (Yost) Kistler.

A celebration of Renee’s life will be hosted by the family at the Eckenroth Home for Funerals, 209 East Main Street, Terre Hill, on Saturday, October 28th, 2023 at 11:00 am. Internment will be in the Center Union Cemetery. Viewings will be held at the Eckenroth Home for Funerals on Friday, October 27th, 2023 from 6:00-8:00pm, and on Saturday from 10:00-11:00am.

The family requests that if you have been the recipient of one of Renee’s quilts, that you please bring your quilt along and fold it over the back of your chair during the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Renee’s name may be sent to one of the following: St. Paul’s UCC, Quilt Ministry, 133 Church St, Box #177, Bowmansville, PA 17507 OR Bridge 127 (provides clothing and furniture for foster children), 19 North Centre Street, Pottsville, PA 17901