Obituary of Renate Ursula Stabler

OBITUARY – Renate Ursula Stabler – Lexington – A memorial gathering and greeting for Renate U. Stabler, 75, of Lexington, will be held from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM, Thursday, July 2, 2020 at Woodridge Funeral Home of Lexington. Mrs. Stabler passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home, June 28, 2020. Born in Stuttgart, Germany, she was a daughter of the late Karl Buchfink and Emma Walker.

Renate spent her childhood between Catholic boarding schools in Germany and at the Ethiopian palace of Prince Haile Selassie.  Growing up in Africa proved for a unique childhood, allowing her to interact with wildlife and even ride elephants, which would become her favorite animal and adorn her household. As a young adult she immigrated to the United States and opened a restaurant in downtown Columbia with her mother; it was here that she later met the love of her life, Willis Stabler. This event was also the beginning of her strong sense of entrepreneurship, as her career later consisted of running a successful clothing and formalwear shop in Lexington county. Here, she and her husband went on to raise their family of three children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Renate’s favorite pastimes included: living on Lake Murray, watching old movies, cooking German classics, and drinking a cold Diet Coke in the company of her beloved family and dogs.  

Renate is survived by her children; sons, Steven and Peggy Stabler, of Stanfield, NC, JW and Celeste Stabler of Lexington, SC; daughter, Nicky and Sease Bickley of Lexington, SC; six grandchildren, Zachary Stabler, Alexandrya Stabler, Madalyn Stabler, Abigail Stabler, Marley Bickley, Cole Bickley; one great grandson, Kayne Stabler. In addition to her parents, Renate was predeceased by her husband, Willis Stabler.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.