Joseph S. Reinig
March 14, 1924 — October 6, 2017
Joseph S. Reinig was born on March 14, 1924 to August F. And Mary A. (Kenkel) Reinig in Panama, Iowa. He grew up on a farm east of Panama, and was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Panama. In the spring of 1941, the family purchased a farm west of Portsmouth. Joe completed his senior year at St. Mary’s in Portsmouth and graduated with the class of 1942.
After graduation, Joe helped with the family farm and also worked as a welder in Council Bluffs, contributing to the war effort. On May 8, 1946 he married Arlene Ann Leinen at St. Mary’s chapel in Portsmouth. In 1951, Joe and Arlene moved to the farm that would be their home for the next 42 years, and where they raised their ten children. Joe and Arlene retired from farming and moved to Portsmouth in 1993. Arlene passed away on January 18, 2016, after nearly 70 years of marriage. Since that time, Joe has lived at the independent living unit at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan, Iowa.
Joe served on the Panama-Portsmouth School Board; on the board of Portsmouth Housing Corporation; and on the St. Mary’s Parish Council. He was a member of Toastmasters International, and a lector at St. Mary’s in Portsmouth. But his most important roles in life were husband and father. He was Arlene’s lifelong friend and partner, and he was her guardian angel during her final illness. The dignity, integrity, and respect with which he lived his life formed the priceless legacy that he leaves to each of his descendants.
Joe passed away on October 6, 2017 at Elm Crest Retirement Community, at the age of 93 years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Arlene; his parents, August and Mary; brothers Bob, Alfred, and Don; sisters Rita Ohlinger, Theresa Krupicka, Mary Slaven, and Catherine Buman Schomers. He is survived by his ten children and their spouses: Betty (John) Kubicek of Omaha, NE; Mike (Charlotte) Reinig of Melbourne, FL; Richard (Roxanne) Reinig of Portsmouth; Laura (John) Ilcisin; Ella (Bob) McAlexander of Omaha, NE; Loretta (Adrian) Fechner of Blair, NE; Jim (Chris) Reinig of Gretna, NE; Vince (Christy) Reinig of Mt. Shasta, CA; Dan (Lori) Reinig of Portsmouth; and Kathy (John) Goetz of Polk City, IA; eighteen grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Cecilia Tunnell of San Luis Obispo, CA; brothers Tony (Mildred) and Al (Millie) Reinig of Harlan, IA; brother-in-law Robert (Connie) Leinen of Persia; sisters-in-law Virginia Reinig and Mary Ellen Reisz of Portsmouth, Betty Reinig of Overland Park, KS, Joyce Reinig of California, Cleo (Harry) Lefeber of Minden, and Lois (Duane) Book of Ft. Lupton, CO; many nieces, nephews, and friends.
After graduation, Joe helped with the family farm and also worked as a welder in Council Bluffs, contributing to the war effort. On May 8, 1946 he married Arlene Ann Leinen at St. Mary’s chapel in Portsmouth. In 1951, Joe and Arlene moved to the farm that would be their home for the next 42 years, and where they raised their ten children. Joe and Arlene retired from farming and moved to Portsmouth in 1993. Arlene passed away on January 18, 2016, after nearly 70 years of marriage. Since that time, Joe has lived at the independent living unit at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan, Iowa.
Joe served on the Panama-Portsmouth School Board; on the board of Portsmouth Housing Corporation; and on the St. Mary’s Parish Council. He was a member of Toastmasters International, and a lector at St. Mary’s in Portsmouth. But his most important roles in life were husband and father. He was Arlene’s lifelong friend and partner, and he was her guardian angel during her final illness. The dignity, integrity, and respect with which he lived his life formed the priceless legacy that he leaves to each of his descendants.
Joe passed away on October 6, 2017 at Elm Crest Retirement Community, at the age of 93 years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Arlene; his parents, August and Mary; brothers Bob, Alfred, and Don; sisters Rita Ohlinger, Theresa Krupicka, Mary Slaven, and Catherine Buman Schomers. He is survived by his ten children and their spouses: Betty (John) Kubicek of Omaha, NE; Mike (Charlotte) Reinig of Melbourne, FL; Richard (Roxanne) Reinig of Portsmouth; Laura (John) Ilcisin; Ella (Bob) McAlexander of Omaha, NE; Loretta (Adrian) Fechner of Blair, NE; Jim (Chris) Reinig of Gretna, NE; Vince (Christy) Reinig of Mt. Shasta, CA; Dan (Lori) Reinig of Portsmouth; and Kathy (John) Goetz of Polk City, IA; eighteen grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Cecilia Tunnell of San Luis Obispo, CA; brothers Tony (Mildred) and Al (Millie) Reinig of Harlan, IA; brother-in-law Robert (Connie) Leinen of Persia; sisters-in-law Virginia Reinig and Mary Ellen Reisz of Portsmouth, Betty Reinig of Overland Park, KS, Joyce Reinig of California, Cleo (Harry) Lefeber of Minden, and Lois (Duane) Book of Ft. Lupton, CO; many nieces, nephews, and friends.
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