David “Hank” John Reinhart age 70 of Delhi Township, Redwood Falls passed away unexpectedly Friday, October 17, 2014 at St. Cloud Hospital. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 24 at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Redwood Falls. Visitation is 4:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday at the Redwood Valley Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to services on Friday at the church. Interment is in St. Catherine’s Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Hank was born on December 13, 1943 in New Ulm, MN to Lawrence and Catherine (Reding) Reinhart. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Ulm. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School, Jefferson Public, and Washington Public and graduated from New Ulm High School. Hank married Ramona Roiger on May 26, 1965 at St. Raphael’s in Springfield. He worked at various jobs including, Super Sweet Feeds Research Farm in Courtland, where he met his future bride. He also worked at Murphy Freight Lines in Redwood Falls and Sacred Heart, drove school bus for Thielen Bus Lines for over 30 years and worked for 8 years as a custodian at the Redwood Area Schools. Hank was a member of the St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Redwood Falls. He was an avid outdoorsman as he enjoyed hunting, fishing and grilling. He especially enjoyed spending time with his granddaughter KyLee; she was the apple of his eye. We will miss him dearly and look forward to being with him again someday.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Ramona; sons, Scott Reinhart of Morgan and Darin Reinhart (special friend Kristine and her daughter Ellery) of Redwood Falls; granddaughter, KyLee Reinhart; brother, Jim Reinhart of Wolf Point, MT; sisters-in-law, Dianne Reinhart of New Ulm and Carol Kerkhoff of Redwood Falls; brothers-in-law, Steven Roiger (special friend Sandra Malecek) of Sanborn and Mike (Norma) of Kimball, SD. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, parents; brother, Tom Reinhart; sisters-in-law, Reita Reinhart and Rita Jensen, and brother-in-law, Garth Jensen.
Our sympathy to Ramona and family on the death of Hank. We remember him as a good bus driver for our daughter Angela when she was in kindergarten, about 30 years ago. We are sorry to hear of his death. May God surround you with his loving arms and comfort you in this time of loss.
In sympathy,
John & Diane Woodford
May all your happy memories help ease the pain. Thinking of you.
Hugs,
Stefanie Gorres-Bermel
To the Reinhart Family,
Our deepest sympathies go out to Mona, Darin, Scott and Hank’s extended family. I enjoyed knowing Hank since I was a young boy coming out to the farm to play with Darin. I remember Hank always had a welcoming smile on the many bus rides we had to take for athletic events. To show Hank’s demeanor I have a quick story; Darin and I had driven my truck onto a snow drift (I know, stupid) at the back of their farm. It fell through. Darin was hesitant to tell his dad and got his dad’s truck (we all knew the green beast). I pulled on my truck for a couple hours, inch by inch. Finally, Hank came out, didn’t say much, didn’t get mad. Just said to pull my truck forward (duh?!) a car length or so and then throw it in reverse while he pulled with his truck. Got it out on the first try. Boy did Darin and I feel stupid. But, Hank didn’t say a word (when he certainly could have). It has been a while sine I have seen Hank but I am gonna miss his friendly face and wave. Take care Reinhart family. I wish you the best.
My condolences to the family of Hank. He was my bus driver when I was in kindergarten. I remember him as a kind and funny man who enjoyed his job and loved kids.
Ramona, I did not know Hank but I know you as the church secretary.
you always have a smile on your face, never complain if I get information to you late.
your willingness to help however you can is great. my heart aches for you, as I know what it is like
to loose a loved one. think of the good times and talk about Hank often, each time you do it will get easier.
may God surround you with His love and compassion as only He can. here is a big hug to you.
Ramona, Scott, and Darin – I am deeply saddened at the loss of Hank. Know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. As I think of him as I write this, I can see his HUGE smile and hear his unmistakable ROARING laugh and it makes me smile. I’ll always treasure the time that Hank and Scott invited me to travel along to Montana to visit your relatives. I was always treated like family whenever I visited your farm, and the trip was no exception! Hank was genuinely one of the great guys. Everyone who knew him appreciated his knack for always having a story or joke to share and that he took the time to connect with others. RIP Hank – I will miss you!
My heart is heavy with saddness for all of you. I met Hank maybe once or twice but have known Ramona since we were little kids growing up in the neighborhood, country school, riding bus together etc. Knowing what a loving, giving, beautiful spirit Ramona is, I’m sure Hank had to be a very special guy to win her heart and keep her for 49 plus years. My deepest sympathy to all of you for this sudden loss of someone you loved so much. May you be surrounded with loving family and friends during this difficult time; and know that you will be lifted up in prayer by more people than you will ever realize. This is a most difficult journey and each of us has to walk the path thru the dark tunnel in our own way, in our own time, but be assured many others care deeply and are praying God will provide (and He will) the strength, grace, and patience needed along the way.
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Hank was a wonderful person with a great sense of humor and a positive way of connecting with all of us including the hundreds of kids he delivered safely throughout all the school years of bus driving and taking care of our building. He truly lived life to the end and is a great role model for the rest of us. Today the school staff grieves right along with you. Take care of each other and know that Hank will be missed by many.
John & Barb Sellevold
Hi Ramona,Scott and Darin,
Your have my deepest sympathies on the loss of Hank. Dianne sent me a quick email to let me know. I have fond memories of seeing your family at Tom and Dianne’s!! That has been a few years ago:). Cherish the memories!! I can imagine he and Tom are having a great time catching up! Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
God’s Blessings,
Julie,Scott and Family
Nicollet MN
I am the other David John Reinhart only raised on a farm by Searles. I met Hank when attending New Ulm Public School. We always had something the laugh about, but he truly was a good guy. The last time I saw him was at NUHS 50th class reunion and he was still the same old “Hank”. The earth will not be the same with him gone from this planet.
Our condolences to the Reinhart family…I graduated with Hank, what a great guy!! Lyle & Carla Lindquist
Sorry to hear of the passing pf an old classmate.
Dave was a cousin, a grade school classmate and a friend. Last spoke with him at my wife’s 50th class reunion and we shared a laugh or two. Karen and I send our deepest condolences to the family, may Hank rest in peace.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Hank drove bus when Lance and Amy were riding and they appreciated his friendly greetings in the morning. In later years Wayne also worked for Thielen and thought very highly of Hank.
So sorry Ramona & family. We are not able to attend his funeral but you have our prayers. Don & Ruby
Ramona, Scott & Darin: you are in our thoughts and prayers! We are deeply saddened by the loss of our good friend and neighbor! We always enjoyed looking out the window and see Hank mowing or in the garden, always sharing with us. Sometimes when we come home, there would be a muskmelon or watermelon sitting by our door. We would go for a walk with our dog, and just get to their house, and stop and visit, many times. Hank would always wave when he went by, and sometimes stop by if we were outside. My dad enjoyed fishing with Hank, and visiting with him, working together, and he would call and stop by after work! Butch and Faythe loved it when he stopped by for coffee, he would call and say “is the coffee pot on”. He always had a smile and a wonderful laugh! We will all miss him! Please let us know if we can do anything for you, anytime!
As a classmate of Hank I was saddened to read of his death.
I remember him always having a smile and being friendly.
I’m thinking of all of you at this sad time.
Always remember the good times.
Sincerely,
Carol Steinhaus
I was fortunate enough to spend a lot of time with Hank during my youth. My father and I spent many hours together with him cruising in the truck, on a riverbank, and listening to polka. He always made me feel like “one of the guys.” There was never a dull moment while in his presence, as it was always filled with smiles and laughter. He had one of the greatest laughs of all time.
My condolences to Ramona and the family.
Scott and family,
So sad to loose a loved one. At this time keep the memories alive with all those you see. Hugs will also bring you all comfort and a sense of peace. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers as the days and weeks go forward.
God Bless,
Steve and Deb
Sorry to here of your loss. Hank was a great guy he played many of polkas with Bill and my self years ago. Hope we will again some day cause i know where is at know. I’ll keep you in my prayers. Jerry an Pam Serbus