Renée Jean Transburg

I have learned in every situation to be content.

Obituary

Renée Jean (Mell) Transburg, 79, of West Salem, Wisconsin passed away on March 26, 2026 after a six-month battle with gallbladder cancer. Renée lived a life rooted in deep love and abiding faith in Jesus Christ. She carried a simple hope and message wherever she went: that all would come to know and follow Him — “Landa Yesu” — “Follow Jesus” in the Lingala language of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a place that was central to Renée’s life and calling.

Renée was born in Jamestown, North Dakota, and spent her childhood in several Midwestern communities with her parents and two younger brothers, following her father’s career as a JCPenney manager. She pursued her passion for education and books at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, studying elementary education and library science. It was there that she met and fell in love with Bill Transburg. They were married on December 31, 1966, and soon made their home in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

In the mid-1970s, Renée and Bill committed their lives to Jesus Christ. During this time, Renée sensed a compelling call to serve in Africa as a missionary, but that would take another decade to be realized. Meanwhile, Renée and Bill welcomed their three children — Tamra, Brian, and Peter — into their family over a span of just four years. Alongside the demands of raising young children, Renée worked in a variety of office and library roles, both paid and volunteer, always serving faithfully and with humility. 

By the early 1980s, Renée’s vision for overseas ministry had become a shared family calling. In 1985, the Transburg family left La Crosse to begin their missionary journey. They first spent a year in Albertville, France, studying French, before moving to Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) to serve as educators. Renée managed a Christian literature distribution program and taught adult women literacy classes in Lingala, a language she was learning as she taught. Despite the challenges of two evacuations and a couple temporary furloughs back in Wisconsin and Minnesota, Renée remained steadfast in her calling.

After their children were grown, Renée and Bill continued their overseas ministry in a new chapter, joining Haven of Peace Academy (HOPAC) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in 1997. There, Renée served as a librarian and taught Kindergarten. Over more than a dozen years, she poured her energy, care, and faith into the lives of hundreds of students and colleagues, leaving a lasting impact on the school community.

In 2010, Renée and Bill retired from full-time missionary service and returned to Wisconsin, where they settled near family and their church community. Together, they cared for Renée’s parents in their later years and cherished spending time with their children and grandchildren. Ever devoted to service, Renée continued volunteering in libraries at her church and at Coulee Christian School — a school that she had helped start in the early 1980s. Among her many lasting gifts, Renée’s legacy of generosity lives on in the countless items she lovingly created — dozens of crocheted keepsakes for her grandchildren, and hundreds, if not thousands, of knitted hats, scarves, blankets, shawls, and garments shared with people around the world. Her life reflected more than five decades of faithful service in education, ministry, and community.

Renée’s life was a testament to quiet faithfulness, joyful service, and a steadfast call: Landa Yesu.

Renée was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Audrey (Murphy) Mell, and her son, Brian (Meg) Transburg. She is survived by her beloved husband of 59 years, Bill; her daughter, Tamra Joy (Tony) of Parsonburg, Maryland; her son, Peter Transburg (Michelle) of Santa Clara, California; her brothers, Randall (Mary) Mell of Caledonia, Minnesota, and Rodney (Deb) Mell of Rochester, Minnesota; six grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

A celebration of Renée’s life will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 11am-2pm at Coulee Christian High School in West Salem, WI. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, memorial gifts may be made to Coulee Christian School at https://couleechristian.org/give-now or Child Evangelism Fellowship - www.cefofwesternwisconsin.org/give

Photos

The photo gallery below contains a few dozen photos of Renée throughout her life. A more comprehensive set of photos can be seen in a Google Photos album at this link - https://photos.app.goo.gl/8JkGXEvaSxj788vdA

Select Photos

Memories

April 17, 2026

I remember when Bill, Renee and family arrived at Tandala as it was the same summer I arrived. To this day I remember Renee's testimony and her love for Jesus really shined through! Because of her I got involved in the literacy program for the wives of the Bible School students. Her zeal to serve the Lord no matter where He placed her is a tremendous example to the rest of us. I know that she is very happy to be with the Lord she served for a long time. But I also know she leaves a big hole in the lives of her dear family and I pray for the Lord's comfort. I wish I could attend the celebration of life and I will be praying for you all!
I

Laura (Robertson) Harrigan

April 14, 2026

On behalf of the fourth grade students, we would like to share our feelings and experiences of knowing Mrs. Transburg at Coulee Christian School. Mrs. Transburg was a caring, helpful, loving, faithful, and funny person. Several students remember when Mrs. Transburg crocheted hats for the children. Many students still have their hats. Many children also have the knitted bookmarks she made for everyone. “I remember how she would give us erasers when we would turn our books in before they were overdue.” Her presence, smile, and faithfulness will be missed, but we look forward to being with her again in Heaven.

Mr. M's 4th Grade

April 10, 2026

I served alongside Renee at Haven of Peace Academy. Some of my fondest memories: 1)when she brought her chocolate cake to the staff room. It was JUST like my mom used to make when I was little! 2) Henry hanging out at the library with Renee, 3) their beautiful house overlooking the Indian Ocean right next to the HOPAC campus. She and Bill were both so supportive to all the staff at Haven of Peace.

Jane Gruler

April 9, 2026

As a new employee of Coulee Christian School, and starting during the summer months, the school felt pretty deserted, but I could always count on seeing Renee there, working tirelessly in the library. She was such a kind lady and a peaceful, joyful presence. I appreciated her making the effort to welcome me to the school. Her passing leaves a big hole at Coulee Christian School, but we know she's rejoicing with Jesus.

Lisa Anderson

April 7, 2026

I am the current Elementary Principal at Coulee Christian School. Over the course of the last few years, the students of our school and I have been blessed by the work of Renee's hands, the love in her heart and her amazing example of what it looks like to serve the Lord with your life. Many a day, I would pull in to the parking lot at school and see Renee's cheery car there as she served our school through her work in our library. She gave many, many hours to our school and she blessed our students and school.

This past September, my 9 year old daughter (who Renee knew from her work with our students), had a major surgery. Renee reached out often to share words of encouragement, a smile and to let us know she was praying for her full recovery. What a gift Renee was to our school through her love for our students and staff. She was an inspiration and an awesome example of what it is to serve the Lord until He calls you home. I am blessed to have known her in her golden years. I am so glad she is now in the presence of our Lord.
Jen Wulf
Elem. Principal, Coulee Christian School

Jennifer Wulf

April 6, 2026

Bill and Renee were instrumental in my thriving as a new teacher and missionary in Tanzania. They welcomed me onto their team and into their family. Their home was always open to me.

Comfort, encouragement, love and hugs could always be counted on from Renee. Her beautiful laugh was contagious, and she always laughed at Bill's jokes!

As model teacher and librarian, oh how her students adored her! Indeed, she left a lasting impact her students, her teammates and our beloved HOPAC. I am so thankful God allowed me to know and learn from Renee!

Janelle Petchnick

April 3, 2026

Renee' and Bill were key missionaries in helping us serve at Tandala Zaire. They were both great encouragers and mentors to both of us. The attached photo's show her with Norma Colby at the Tandala church graduation for the Pastor's wives that they taught in 1990. And, one of our mission conferences we had with all our fellow missionary friends in 1991. Visiting them a couple of years ago continued to inspire us to keep serving God. Merci Mingi Renee' for your love you spread throughout the world.

Zelda & Mark Anderson

Celebration of Life

In Memory