TIM & RENEE MERKOURIS

Tim and Renee Merkouris have lived in rural North Branch, Minnesota since 1991. Tim is a retired chemical engineer and, until recently, also raised beef cattle and hay on their acreage. Renee worked as a legal secretary before children but has been a homemaker and a stay-at-home mom since then.  They both grew up in Minnesota, but over the years, job transfers took their family to Massachusetts, Alabama and Oklahoma. 

After their three biological children left home, the Lord led them to adopt a sibling group of two girls from The Children’s Shelter of Cebu in the Philippines. Two years later, they adopted a sibling group of nine children from the same orphanage. So, they are parents to fourteen children and have ten grandchildren. They just became empty-nesters (again) in 2024. 

Tragically, their oldest daughter, Kristina, died by suicide in September of 2021, at the age of 41. She, her husband and four young children were living in Texas at the time. He and their children have since moved back to Minnesota. Kristina was an artist, a homeschooling Mom, a good friend to many and, most importantly, she loved Jesus. She is deeply missed.

Married for fifty years, Tim and Renee enjoy spending time with their family, road trips, Florida beaches and e-biking. Tim spends a lot of time outdoors keeping up their country property, and Renee enjoys quilting. They have a large garden of vegetables and flowers. After Kristina went to heaven, a flower ministry in her memory began by the name of “Kristina’s Garden”.  Kristina loved flowers and worked at a flower shop for a few years. Renee uses her garden flowers by making arrangements and delivering them to those who need encouragement. 

Tim and Renee lead a support group in their home with While We’re Waiting ministry encouraging other bereaved parents to live well while we’re waiting to see our children in heaven. They want to share the hope they have found in Jesus with others who are grieving.