Renae Evelyn (Brandt) Lau

Renae Evelyn (Brandt) Lau Former longtime Wenatchee resident Renae Evelyn Lau (Brant) passed away on November 18, 2022. Born September 7, 1945, in Breckenridge, Minnesota to Quinn and Blanche Brandt, her parents farmed near Colfax, North Dakoda. The family decided to move west in 1951 and settled in Ephrata, Washington. Renae graduated from Ephrata High School in 1963. Her first job was as a waitress at Jolly’s Drive-In. She began her banking career at Security Bank in Ephrata, later transferring to the East Wenatchee branch. Renae met Donald Lau in 1970 and was swept off her feet by this tall 29-year-old man. They married on September 18, 1970, in Federal Way and headed for Ocean Shores for a wonderful honeymoon. Don lived in Chelan where he worked as a “Wonder Bread Man” for ITT Continental Baking Company, so she moved to Central Washington Bank. They spent two great years boating on Lake Chelan and enjoying small town life. In 1972 Don had an opportunity to work out of Wenatchee so Renae transferred to the local Central Washington Bank branch. In 1985 Renae wanted to work part-time, and she began an administrative career at the accounting firm of Cordell, Neher & Company. Semi retiring in 1993, she volunteered at Highline Nursing Home in East Wenatchee. It was a rewarding 10 years, spending time with all the grandmas and grandpas who she grew very fond of. To stay in shape, she worked freight two days a week at Don’s store, the Plaza Super Jet, meeting and enjoying many of the customers. Renae retired at age 54 and she and Don joined the Wenatchee Valley Senior Activity Center where she volunteered and hosted the coffee bar on Friday mornings for twenty years. She loved meeting new people and socializing with old friends. They enjoyed many trips and cruises during this time. Renae connected with so many people during her life, notably maintaining contact with most of them. Those who knew her could always count on her emotional support, financial generosity, and a card for any occasion, In October 2021 Renae was diagnosed with stage four acute myeloid leukemia. She fought the good fight, but then just wanted to be re-united with her loving husband Don who passed August 11, 2022. Their 52 years together left Renae with many sweet memories of the love they shared. Renae leaves her sisters Linda Adams of East Wenatchee and Carol (Ron) Oaks of Ephrata, son Jeffrey (Cathie) Lau and daughters Sandra Lau of East Wenatchee, Judith Love of Twisp, daughter Shirli (Frank) Merrill of Chandler, Arizona, and many other grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great nieces, sisters-in-law, and numerous others she was blessed to cross paths with. Renae was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother Michael Brandt, brother-in-law James Adams and grandsons Joshua Mills and Kenneth Love Jr.

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Renae Evelyn (Brandt) Lau

September 7, 1945 - November 18, 2022