George F. Renaud, age 82, of Hudson, WI, passed away on October 24, 2013 at Hudson Hospital. 

George was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts on January 16, 1931 to George and Yvonne (Lanoue) Renaud. 

He graduated from Pittsfield High School, and from 1948 to 1951 he attended Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant, IA, majoring in music. From 1951 to 1954, he attended Mt. Sinai Hospital in Chicago, IL, receiving a diploma as a Registered Nurse. From 1954 to 1955 he attended St. Mary’s Hospital School of Anesthesia in Duluth, MN. After graduating with a specialty in anesthesia, he worked at St. Joseph’s hospital in Brainerd, MN. In 1960, he moved to Bemidji, MN, where he gave anesthesia at Bemidji Hospital from 1960 to 1972. At that time, he assumed a position as a free-lance anesthetist serving hospitals in western and northwestern Minnesota and Minot, ND until he retired.

In 1986, he graduated from Bemidji State University with a Bachelors degree in Applied Psychology. He was also a Certified Hypnotherapist with the Greater New England Academy of Hypnotherapy.

From 1960 to 1962, he was the co-owner of the Mileage Cafe in Bemidji. In 1962, he was a co-owner of Renaud’s Pizza until 1982.

George is a Past Master of Bemidji Masonic Lodge 233 and an associate guardian of the Job’s Daughters in Bemidji. 

George married Carolyn Stoddard on October 4, 1962. They had three daughters: Rachel, Julie, and Holly. Their family lived in Bemidji for 42 years, and moved to Hudson, WI in 2003.

George was a notorious story-teller and especially enjoyed telling his grandson’s about the “good ole days.” If you talked with George, you would be sure to hear his latest joke told with much color and flare! Grandpa George was adored by his grandsons and he cherished the time he spent with them. 

While in Northern Minnesota, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was an avid do-it-yourselfier and completed many projects in his beloved Bemidji home. 

Music has always been a big part of George’s life, although he very much disliked piano lessons as a young boy. He had an abundance of natural talent and continued to play piano and other musical instruments. In his teen years, he played in many dance bands with his brothers in and around Pittsfield. At Iowa Wesleyan College, he and his brothers formed a combo called the Esquire Trio, and played many a dance in the area. His love for music later concentrated on the keyboard. He played at Renaud’s Pizza and later for community functions in Bemidji. When he moved to Hudson, he enjoyed playing at the local supermarkets, the Senior Center, and the Hospital. Mostly, he enjoyed just playing for himself and Carolyn at their home.

He is survived by wife, Carolyn of Hudson, WI; daughters: Rachel (Mike) Stuart of Hudson, WI and their sons, Wade and Warner, Julie Resch of Alexandria, MN and her sons: Tyler, Reed, and Matthew, along with their father, Ian, and Holly (Chris) Cole of Hudson, WI, and their sons, Conner and Parker; and brother and sister-in-law, Donald (June) Stoddard of Lacrosse, WI and Dorothy (Laverne) Moldenhauer of Black River Falls, WI. Preceded in death by his parents, George Sr. and Yvonne; sister, Eleanor; and brothers, Bernard and Norman. 

A Private Memorial Service was held. Interment at Willow River Cemetery in Hudson.

Services in the care of the O’Connell Funeral Home of Hudson. (715) 386-3725 www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com

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