Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

September 22, 2025

CHARLOTTE – Renate Weining was welcomed into the arms of our Heavenly Father on Monday, September 22, 2025.  Somewhat unexpectedly, yet in His perfect timing, the Lord called her home on a sunny afternoon with both of her daughters at her side in the hospital.  With great joy through tears, we know she is now more alive than we are (1 Corinthians 13:12).  We rejoice she is in the presence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit for eternity! 

Renate was born in Germany in 1940, during World War II, to the late Heinrich and Elfriede Johanndieding.  Ultimately seeking shelter in Upper Silesia with maternal grandparents, the family ended up fleeing the Russian advance in 1945 on two occasions.  After the war, they lived in extreme poverty as refugees in the northern part of West Germany.  Renate experienced harsh discrimination; all refugees had to go to a separate school, playground and church.  

She only recently shared her deep pain and struggles of childhood, while also recalling countless happy hours playing outside, allowing her imagination to be her escape and comfort.  Those who knew her loved her entertaining and humorous personality.  Looking back, she saw how the Lord protected her and provided dear friends and mentors: a Silesian teacher, Herr Guder, who recognized her potential and encouraged her academically; a kind priest, Pfarrer Leister; and the Mende family who modeled a loving home life and provided a floor to sleep on when things were especially rough.  She was unable to fully reunite with her hardworking parents in Muenster until she was 14 years old.  

Post WWII, starting from only rubble, through sheer determination, survival instincts and sacrifice, Renate’s parents were blessed to build up their well-loved restaurant and inn.  However, they had little time for her; she had to be her own advocate, furthering her education at language and business schools, being an au pair in France, and frequently enjoying adventurous travels.  

By the grace of God, she was a loving and generous person.  Meeting Renate with her radiant smile, and knowing her lively, extroverted, and fun-filled personality, one would never expect her childhood to have been so traumatic.  She loved all people and was truly passionate about dancing!  She met her handsome and caring husband, Karl, at a formal dance hall in Muenster, Germany.  He pursued her with his charm, numerous visits and countless letters.  His career led them to the USA where they started their married life in South Carolina.  They ultimately settled in Charlotte in 1974.

Renate eagerly embraced the southern culture and was so grateful for her life in America.  She had an insatiable appetite for learning; she took classes at Clemson University, attended Bible studies, was often researching, reading the newspaper, studying about sound financial investments, and staying informed on current events worldwide.  She also had the gift of hospitality, frequently hosting social gatherings and parties for the German club, post-Opera, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, ladies’ coffees and family events.  Her daughters learned about hospitality and entertaining from one of the best!  Renate greatly enjoyed socializing, meeting new people, serving others, volunteering, following real estate trends, decorating, deepening her faith, and being a devoted wife and loving mother.

She offered her two daughters every lesson and opportunity possible - gymnastics, swimming, piano, violin, ballet, karate, girl scouts, horseback riding, theatre, pottery and attending German School.  Birthday parties were mostly hosted at home with her personal flair including colorful decorations, dessert served on fine china, games and lots of friends.  Renate’s home was open to all neighborhood children; she needed to call around the house before leaving to ensure all had left.  She helped make frozen homemade popsicles and play dough and provided her daughters with clothes and costume jewelry to play dress up.  Renate’s daughters had countless sleepovers and were allowed to turn the dining room table into a fort draped with sheets and blankets, and sometimes they even ate leftover chocolate cake for breakfast.  Renate provided her daughters with a happy and carefree childhood.  She made them feel safe, cared for and supported; they were lavished with love, but never spoiled.  Renate taught them the satisfaction of finding a good value when shopping.  She wanted them to always appreciate the little things in life, which often meant not getting what you wanted.  

All love is from the Lord; Renate was His vessel even before she walked with Him more closely.  She knew the Lord most of her life, but in her 40s discovered the joy of knowing her Savior, Jesus Christ, in a more personal way.  Renate was alive and filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:1-11, John 14, John 16:4-15).  Her faith blossomed; she realized how much the Lord loves her and knows exactly who she is.  She wanted everyone to know God loves them too, and spent the rest of her earthly life finding ways to encourage others in their walks of faith, starting with her own family.  Renate and Karl hosted a prayer fellowship in their home for almost ten years.  People came to know the Lord through hearing personal testimonies, worship music, and guest speakers.  

As her faith grew, she looked for ways to join Him at work in others’ hearts.  Her outgoing nature allowed her to connect with complete strangers, asking them about their tattoos, their job, their needs, ultimately showing them love and encouraging them to seek the Lord.  Her heart ached for the lonely, the afraid, the unhoused, and the unborn; she valued life from conception to natural death.  She was a faithful prayer intercessor for all of us, always keeping a notebook of prayer requests to lift up before the Lord.   When she loved you, she loved you fiercely, was your advocate and called on all heavenly and earthly resources to come to your aid.  Her family knows she is praying for you right now!   

As a grandmother and “Omi” to Ava, Weston and Elise, her unconditional love knew no bounds.  She always prioritized family; Omi was a constant in the lives of her grandchildren and was intentional about spending time with each of them.  From birth to teen years, she helped rock them to sleep, picked them up after school, went to doctor’s visits, encouraged and cheered them on at basketball or flag football, soccer, dance recitals, theater performances, choir concerts, communion, confirmation, birthdays, graduations and fervently prayed for their faith to grow.  She was so proud of their accomplishments, work ethic and especially how they are living out their faith.      

As health problems mounted over the years, she dutifully worked through each one with determination, sheer force of will, and by leaning on the Lord to be her strength in weakness.  We rejoice that her faith is now sight.  Our lives will be forever blessed and enriched for having known Renate as a wife, mother, grandmother and friend.  As we are one in the Spirit and one in the Lord, she will always be in our hearts, and we anticipate the joyous day when we will join her and our Heavenly Father!  

“Lord Jesus Christ, we praise you for the abundant graces granted to the world through the holiness of your servant Renate.  Amen.” - Father Dennis Kuhn

“Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.”  2 Corinthians 4:16-18

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 15:13  

Renate is survived by her two daughters, Melanie Weining and Anya Weining Ward and her husband, Don, and her three grandchildren, Ava, Weston, and Elise.  She is also survived by two sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews, along with their children.  In addition to her parents, Renate was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Karl; by their first precious baby, stillborn in 1970; four brothers-in-law, and one sister-in-law.  

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC.  The family will receive friends at the church from 9:30 AM until 10:45 AM.  Interment will follow at Forest Lawn East Cemetery in Matthews, NC. The funeral mass will be livestreamed through the church website at: https://stgabrielchurch.org/livefunerals for those unable to attend in person.  

Memorials may be offered in memory of Renate to:  Charlotte Missionaries of Charity, 1625 Glenn Street, Charlotte, NC 28205; Catherine's House, 141 Mercy Drive, Belmont, NC, 28012; Holy Angels, 6600 Wilkinson Blvd., Belmont, NC 28012; Missionaries of the Poor, Guardian Angels Monastery 1403 Griffith Road, Monroe, NC 28112.  

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606.  Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.