Lielo Rennebaum, of Coeur d'Alene, died Thursday, July 7, 2011.

Born July 24, 1913, in Cologne, Germany, to Theodor and Kathrin Bollow. Lielo grew up with five brothers in Hamburg, Germany. She came to Coeur d'Alene from Palm Springs, Calif., when she was 87 years old and moved into Fairwinds independent living retirement community, later transferring to Legends Park Assisted Living Community, then Four Seasons Care Community.

In her early years, Lielo assisted her mother and father in operating a hotel/restaurant complex near Hamburg. She had graduated from a restaurant management school. Later, she also graduated from the Berlin Sports College. A wanderlust then took her to Spain and the United States. She returned to Germany from the U.S.A. because of her father's deteriorating health just as World War II broke out. She joined the Red Cross, serving as a supervisory nurse in many locations throughout Europe for the extent of the war. She married Fritz Rennebaum in March 1941; he was later killed in the war.

In December 1952 she and her son, Fritz, immigrated to the United States. She was sponsored for immigration by Hugo Zimmer, who owned Zimmer's Apartments, in Soap Lake, Wash. Lielo managed those apartments, worked as a waitress at Don's Restaurant and served on the Soap Lake City Council. Later, remaining in Soap Lake, she commuted daily to Quincy, Wash., working in a doctor's clinic as a Laboratory Technician.

She then moved to La Habra, Calif., and, for two years managed a large mobile home park for Randal and Norma Zimmer. Caesars Palace then selected her to manage their Palm Springs, Calif., retreat (Desert Palace), a place where her culinary and organizational skills flourished. She retired in Palm Springs from that position in 1982. She was a devout Lutheran for her entire life, always involved in the immediate churches wherever she lived.

Lielo enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Europe. She thoroughly enjoyed the Palm Springs culture, climate and her many close friends, there. The presence of her immediate family in Coeur d'Alene brought her to this city.

She is survived by her son, Fritz, and daughter-in-law Becky Rennebaum, in Cave Bay; grandson Derek Rennebaum; granddaughter Lisa and husband David, and great-granddaughter Delaney Adlard; nephew Claus and wife DeAnn Bollow of Los Angeles, Calif.; and nephew Bernd and wife Karen Bollow of Marina Del Ray, Calif.

She will be dearly missed by her family and friends, and will be remembered for her gracious gifts of love and generosity.

A celebration of her life will be held at Yates Funeral Chapel, Hayden at a later date. Please visit Lielo's memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.