Geraldine Mae Reinke went to her eternal reward on Thursday, May 23, 2019 at Living Tree Estates, Greenville WI., surrounded by family and two faithful yellow labs.
Geraldine Mae (Roberts) Reinke was born Dec. 6, 1925 at the home farm in the town of Iola, Waupaca County, Wisconsin to Robert W. and Elsie L. (Holtz) Roberts. The family moved shortly thereafter to the Baldwins Mills neighborhood where they farmed until 1968. As a child in the farm neighborhood she was known as a singing performer for school and social activities and loved to visit shut-in ladies in the neighborhood. Geraldine was an educator and lover of children. She attended Outagamie County Normal in Kaukauna, WI for teacher training and for eight years following taught in central Wisconsin one-room school houses and Royalton State Graded School. After starting a family, then substitute and Title 1 teaching in the Waupaca district, she returned to UW Stevens Point to complete her Bachelor’s degree, graduating in 1973. Geraldine continued her teaching career at Waupaca Central 1 4th Grade until her retirement in 1988. She served a total of 28 years as an educator in Wisconsin. She married Elmer F. Reinke on January 24, 1953 in Minocqua, WI; and lived on the Cary Pond of the Crystal River her entire life. After losing Elmer in 1983, Geraldine continued her teaching career while in her spare time doting on her two grandchildren and enjoying her many good friends and Lakemen baseball. Her devoted dogs, beagle Kate and yellow lab Bessie were constant companions. She visited daughters, Suse in De Pere and Mary in Appleton on a regular basis, watching grandkids, Anne and Jeff grow up, never missing a dance recital, concert, or sporting event. She traveled the world with Mary, visiting England, Scotland, Germany, Mexico, Canada, the Virgin Islands, and many spots in the US. She often traveled to Orlando, Fla. to visit her beloved sisters, Violet Becker and Berniece (Mahnke) Elliott, who both passed in 1999, which brought Geraldine much sorrow. Violet, Berniece and Geraldine were renowned for laughing uniquely but in perfect unison, which was infectious to anyone in the room. Geraldine was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca having served on many committees and was a regular volunteer. She was a long-time member of the Trinity Choir and also sang in the Waupaca Community Chorus. She served on the Waupaca Park Board, Grand Reunion Committee, Riverside Hospital Auxiliary and Waupaca Historical Society. She was a contributing editor to the book One Room School Houses of Waupaca County. Geraldine loved nature, especially summer flowers and fall colors. She adored all the family dogs over the years, loved to see a field of Holstein cows, and successfully raised an orphan foal on a bottle. Geraldine’s house was home to many friends and family over the years. She treasured her nieces and nephews, often hosting small and large family parties “on the hill”. When her parents’ farm burned in 1956, her father, mother and uncle moved into her home for a time. As she often said, “you can always make room.” Later years brought various health issues but Geraldine’s love of connecting with people, following family, politics and sports especially the Brewers, never faltered. She blamed the Packer organization for letting Favre go and never forgave them. A doctor once asked her what she loved most about life – what kept her going. Geraldine considered the question and then replied in a strong voice “a good baseball game, and a very good friend.” Geraldine had plenty of both.
Geraldine is survived by daughters, Suse Reinke Riddle (Dennis), Scandinavia, and Mary Reinke (Dick Grall), Appleton; grandson Jeffrey C. Riddle (Jenna Miller), Waupaca, and granddaughter Anne A. Riddle (Jason Bougere), Washington DC; cherished nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Elmer; parents, Robert and Elsie; sisters, Violet and Berniece; brothers-in-law, Clarence Becker, Eugene Mahnke, and Jim Elliott.
Private family services will take place on Wednesday May 29. A memorial is being established. Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences available at www.hollyfuneralhome.com