Renee (Gilbertson) Holzapfel, 54, passed away Saturday, April 7 at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview in Minneapolis.

Renee had a lung transplant four years ago. She developed pneumonia recently. It was more than she could overcome.

Renee is survived by her husband Mike Holzapfel; stepdaughters Beth and April, North Mankato, Minn.; mother Madelyn Gilbertson, Austin, Minn.; sisters Cheryl Nelson of Glenville, Minn. and Sherri Gilbertson of Fayetteville, Ark.; brothers Walter Gilbertson of Keller, Texas, Wayne Gilbertson of Fayetteville and Jerry Johnson of Austin; mother-in-law Vera Holzapfel; sisters-in-law Vicki and Sher of Mankato, Minn.

Renee was preceeded in death by sister Chris (Gilbertson) Schocker, brother Jim Johnson and father Walt Gilbertson.

Renee was small in stature with personality and heart as big as all outdoors. A celebration of life will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 12 at Northview Mortuary, upper North Mankato, with visitation held from 3 to 6 p.m. that day. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.