Phyllis Nadine (Mertz) Renz, 93, of Grand Island, NE passed away March 16, 2026, at Bickford Cottage in Grand Island.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 20, 2026, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Grand Island with Pastor Sheri Lodel officiating. Burial of ashes will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Croix Hospice and Calvary Lutheran Church. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be directed to www.livson.com. Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.

Phyllis was born on March 16, 1933, in Gettysburg, SD to George and Myrtle Mertz. She graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1951. She was united in marriage to Harold Deen Renz on November 27, 1952, in Hot Springs, SD. The couple lived throughout the state of South Dakota until July 1974 when they moved to Grand Island. Phyllis worked at various places in Grand Island, such as North Broadwell Jack & Jill, the old Lutheran Hospital, St. Francis Medical Center and Dr. Balachandran Wariyar's office until retiring in 2003.

Phyllis was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, scrapbooking, Grand Island Independents crossword puzzles, Jimmie John's B.L.T's, Sonics Hot Fudge Sunday and she especially loved her Husker football.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Susan Renz and Cecil Clayton of Oklahoma City, OK; daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Gerry Ruttman of Grand Island, NE; son, Barry Renz of Kearney, NE; five grandchildren, Heather (Patrick) Ryan of Pengilly, MN, Valerie (Marty) Bergeron of Lincoln, NE, Brittany (Dayvid) Cardenas of Wahoo, IN, Erica (Joe) Hinrichs of Hastings, NE, Gerrod (Amber) Ruttman of Grand Island, NE; 11 great-grandchildren, Annaliese, Gracelyn, Cora & Melody Ruttman of Grand Island, Wyatt & CharlieJo of Lincoln, Lily & Grant of Hastings, Alex, Madi & Ruben Cardenas of Waterloo, IN.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Renz; son, David Renz; parents and grandparents.