Renea Jean Cary Battistella was born on January 6, 1977, in Portland, Oregon. She was the first of two daughters born to Mavis Allstot and Joseph Cary. She lived in Oregon until age 9, then moved to Whidbey Island, WA, with her mother and sister, where she lived until the age of 18. Renea moved to Chicago, IL, with her (former) husband, Michael Battistella Sr., where their 3 “Amazing” children, Kaitlyn, Michael Jr., and Kylie (Angel) were born. The family relocated to Elkhorn, WI, in 2010, where she planted deep roots for her children. Renea went to several places, touched many lives, and had countless adventures. She loved to travel, especially to places where friends and family lived, and had many more plans to see the wider world.

Renea never landed on a beach or met a body of water she didn’t like, from the pebble-strew beaches of Puget Sound to the powder-like sand on the balmy beaches in Puerto Rico. The water breathed life into her soul. Renea had a great affinity for sea turtles; she was at home on Tybee Island, GA, on the beach where she visited the sea turtle hospital/sanctuary, which solidified them as her “spirit animal.” And deemed Tybee as her favorite place in the world (aside from being anywhere her children are).  

Renea was a career-driven woman. She loved that she only had 3 career-centered jobs in her life. She got her start in the corporate world with ADM Investors as an account specialist. When she moved to Wisconsin, she entered sales at FedEx Corporate, where she worked for many years as a Sales Team Manager. During her tenure, she traveled with the company, something she cherished alongside her team. Upon leaving Wisconsin, Renea landed her final job with an upstart called PayScale. She was very proud of her work and an absolute BOSS, tackling project after project and climbing the corporate ladder for more than 20 years.

Her greatest achievement in life was raising her “AMAZING” children. Renea loved them above all else in the world. Caring for her family is what drove her to succeed in her career. Never came a time when she was not rooting for her oldest daughter, Kaitlyn, during her many years in cheer, or being her son Michael’s number 1 fan during his years in football, or providing all the support possible for her youngest daughter, Kylie (Angel), during her foray into theatre. Renea suffered several setbacks with her health and the heart-wrenching loss of her best friend, Kathryn. Yet she always remained positive and optimistic and was extremely charismatic. Renea never knew a stranger; by the end of every conversation, she made new friends wherever she went.

Renea is survived by her 3 children: Kaitlyn Weyenberg (Logan), Michael Battistella Jr., and Kylie (Angel) Battistella, mother: Mavis Lewis, father: Joseph Cary, sister: Anna (Becky) Langley (Benett), niece: Maeghan Moore (Cody), nephews: Noah Langley and Gabriel Langley, great niece/nephews: Novalee, Amos, and (pre-born) Silas Moore. Nieces: Sera and Stella Garay and their mother, Chrissy Battistella. Former husband: Michael Battistella Sr. and his mother, Debra Battistella. Aunts/Uncles: David Allstot, Delores Sylvester, Pamela Gibbons, and Dennis Allstot. Cousins: Daniel Vice, Amber Clayton, Tenijia Sylvester, Tina Jackson, Tonya Hesselgesser, Michael Davidson, Jason and Brian Little, Kevin and Emily Allstot, Tara Gilman, and Jarod Allstot. Half-sister: Elizabeth Tucker, Step-sister/brother: Shannon Montgomery-Garcia, and William Montgomery. Countless 2nd and 3rd cousins, friends old and new.

Renea was preceded in death by her dearest friend, Kathryn Martinez; maternal grandparents, Elmer and Ollie Allstot; paternal grandparents, Robert and Yvonne Cary; aunts, Karen Davidson and Judy Helzer; cousin, Lori Vice; stepfather, Matthew Lewis; and the beloved family dog, Boxer.