Elizabeth R. Giesen

Elizabeth R. Giesen, 92, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 2, 2020. Elib, as she was known to most, was born in Tennille, Georgia on November 19, 1927 to James Blaz and Willie Mae (Knowles) Renka. She was the middle child of eleven. During the course of her life, she lived in numerous areas of the country, but for the last 30 years, she once again called Georgia home. Elib was the anchor of her family, loving with a sacrificial love. She shared anything she had with a smile. She couldnt read music, but she learned to play the piano by ear at an early age and would frequently sit down and play old hymns with flourish. She also knew the words to every oldie but goodie song. Her favorite outfit was a Hanes sweatsuit and she had a way of making it look very glamorous with her vast collection of scarves, her ever-present red lipstick and nail polish, and her classic Oscar de la Renta fragrance. Dessert was her favorite meal. On holidays when dessert was plentiful, you made sure the coffee was on before dinner started so it would be ready for her immediately after.

She will be greatly missed by her four daughters, Donna (Joel) Sandrik, Carolyn Gray, Leslie Rogers, and Terri English, four grandchildren, Tim (Amy) Sandrik, Jeremy Sandrik, Lauren (Levi) Drysdale, and Bret (Jimena) Rogers, and four great-grandchildren with another one on the way. She is also survived by her sister Katherine (Joe) Laslo, and brothers Bobby (Debbie) Renka and Pat Renka, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, and siblings Edith Smith, Thomas M. Buddy Renka, John Renka, Dennis Renka, Jimmy Packy Renka, Betty Smith, and Billy Renka. A memorial service will be planned at a later date.


Ingram Funeral Home Crematory, 210 Ingram Ave, Cumming, GA 30040 is in charge of arrangements.