Marilyn Mallory Rentz

NICEVILLE, FLORIDA: Marilyn Mallory Rentz, 85, of Niceville, formerly of Mason City, died Sunday, April 19, 2015 in Niceville after a brief illness. A funeral mass will be held 10:30 AM Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at Epiphany Parish St. Joseph Catholic Church, 302 5th Street SE., Mason City with Rev. Neil Manternach, celebrant. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Monday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Mason City. A rosary service will be held at 6:30 PM followed by a scriptural wake service at 7:00 PM. Memorials may be directed to Epiphany Parish, Mason City, Iowa. She was born in Cedar Falls, Iowa in August of 1929 to James and Laura (Ackerson) Casey. Marilyn went to Mason City High School where she excelled in the arts. She received a scholarship in Music to University Iowa. She married her love, Raymond John Rentz, in August 1953. Marilyn Rentz was the owner of the Original La’James College in Mason City since the death of her mother in 1952 and expanded the college locations to Fort Dodge, Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Des Moines, and Moline, Illinois. In her teaching career, she taught and touched the lives of more than 3,000 teachers and students. She was the Past President of the Iowa Cosmetology Schools Association and Accreditation Board. She was a devout Catholic and was generous benefactor for numerous orphanages and charities. She was predeceased by her husband, Ray, and infant son Christopher James. She is survived by her five children, Laurie Rae [Lauren] Butler[Bob], Dr. Eric Rentz [Andres], Dr. Casey David Rentz [Ashley], Kevin Rentz [Susan], Erin Samuelson [Michael]; nine grandchildren, Ericka Cummins, Nate Wagner; Zach, Taylor, Annie and Jacob Samuelson; Caley, Katie, and Emma Rentz; five great grandchildren, Sage, Lucas and Elin Wagner; Gavin and Grace Cummins.