Bernice “Dutch” Renken (women’s softball)

Renken, 1960s (Courtesy State Journal-Register)

Bernice “Dutch” Renken (1932-2022), born on a farm outside of Pleasant Plains, joined the powerhouse Madison Furniture Co. women’s softball team in 1950. Madison Furniture dropped its sponsorship in 1951, but the team, including Renken, remained together as the Californian Packers (sponsored by a Springfield meatpacker).

With Renken as the primary pitcher, the 1953 Packers won the state Amateur Softball Association title, a first for a team from Springfield, men or women. Renken pitched later for the Springfield Merchants and the Thompson Girls of Spring Valley.

Renken also was a top-flight bowler. She worked for Illinois Bell, the Hiram Walker Distillery in Peoria and the Illinois Department of Financial Institutions. She is buried in the Pleasant Plains Cemetery.

Contributor: Thanks to Anna Sielaff, local history librarian at Lincoln Library’s Sangamon Valley Collection.

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