Added on August 10, 2026 Sara Swanson

Reno Feldkamp turns 101!

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Nancy and Reno Feldkamp. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Graddy.

by Colleen A. McKenney

Reno Feldkamp celebrated his 101^st birthday on Wednesday, July 29 with family and friends. Last year, the family threw a large party, with over 100 guests, to celebrate his 100^th birthday. This year they asked for cards to be sent. He shared they had received over 101 cards already and more continue to come in!

Reno Feldkamp was born and raised in Sharon Township and grew up along old Manchester/Chelsea Rd (M-52). His mother unfortunately passed away when he was 13 and he was then raised by his father with help from his aunts. He was an only child, after the death of his older sister, and exempted from the draft to carry on and assist with the family farm. He graduated from Manchester High School class of 1943 and married Nancy (Every) Feldkamp (born in Lansing and graduate of Tecumseh High School) on June 22, 1947. The couple settled at a farm they purchased in Sharon Township in 1950 and have lived there ever since. They recently celebrated their 79^th anniversary of marriage. Nancy will be celebrating her 100^th birthday this coming Spring as well. They shared that they met each other at a Wampler’s Lake dance at the pavilion. They shared that it used to be a popular activity to attend dances there and see live bands. Nancy said that famous bands, like the Dorsey Brothers, would often play local rural dances on their trips between Chicago and Detroit.

Mr. Feldkamp attributes his longevity to “Luck, and a good marriage!” He also attributed his long life to staying physically and mentally active. Their daughter Kathleen shared that they always ate fresh clean food from the farm and were dedicated gardeners. The Feldkamps raised 5 children, have 8 grandchildren, with 2 great grandchildren and one more on the way. Mr. Feldkamp spoke highly of their family and their children, joking that he never did have to bail out any of his kids from jail! He also mentioned they were all successful and college graduates, and 4 had obtained master’s degrees.

Mr. Feldkamp worked for over 25 years for Pioneer Hybrids, beginning in 1990, while also working their family farm. He also has served in many volunteer roles throughout the Manchester area, including serving in elected and appointed roles with Sharon Township, serving the Sharon Church, the MCS School board, and the MAHS board (President) and calendar committee, among other roles. Mr. Feldkamp wanted to also express gratitude for the work and service at MAHS of Ray Berg as well as all leadership at MAHS over the years. Nancy was also very actively involved in the Manchester area by volunteering with Sharon Church, serving as their organist, pianist, choir director, children’s choir director and as a piano teacher. She is also an accomplished painter. Both were also long time members of the Michigan Farm Bureau and the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau. He also worked with, and was active with, the Chicken Broil for many years. He shared that he and Nancy have visited all 50 states, mostly in their motorhome, and were avid cross country skiers. He often hunted and played golf too.

When asked about significant changes to our community and society during his life, he stated that it was quite a change when Manchester became a city recently. He also recalled when he was a small boy and they first got electricity at his childhood home. He described a light bulb hanging from a wire above his kitchen table and it turning on for the first time. He also described the changes over his lifetime to farming technology. He shared that when he was growing up, they farmed with teams of horses. He and Nancy also described how much the advent and spread of television made significant changes in their lifetimes. Nancy shared that for all the criticisms of television, it is now something they depend on more and more for news and updates. Reno made sure to include tv’s role in him keeping up with the Detroit Tigers and University of Michigan football and basketball games.

The Feldkamps are outstanding and valued members of the Manchester community. Happy birthday, Reno and congratulations, Reno and Nancy on 79 years of marriage!