Obit: Reineking, Sophie (1922 - 2012)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org    

Surnames: Reineking, Schaschl, Bizjak, Jaeger, Kubs, Taylor, Wehrmann

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 02/29/2012

Reineking, Sophie (7 MAY 1922 - 25 FEB 2012)

Note: Birth date provided by Gail (Reineking) Jaeger

Sophie Reineking, 89, formerly of Colby, was born into eternal life Feb. 25, 2012, at home surrounded by her family. 

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday March 3, 2012, at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home, Abbotsford. The Rev. Kenneth A. Dix will officiate. 

Visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. On Saturday visitation will be held one hour prior to service time. Burial will be in the Immanuel United Church of Christ Cemetery, Greenwood. 

Sophie was the youngest of seven children born to Anna (Schaschl) and August Bizjak who emigrated from Austria and Italy to the United States in 1903. Being the youngest, Sophie was the apple of her father's eye. She was born and raised in the community of Willard, attending the State Graded School, making life-long friends.

Sophie met the love of her life, Norman E. Reineking, on a Saturday night, at a dance hall in Willard and they have been dancing ever since. They were married on April 19, 1944, at the Immanuel United Church (West Side Church) in Greenwood. The wedding was originally planned for December, but Norman was in the Army and not able to get leave.

After the end of World War II, Norman and Sophie purchased their first home on White Street in Greenwood. Sadly, their first child, Charlotte, was born in 1946 and died at birth. Sophie gave birth to Gail in 1949. Gene made his entrance in 1950, followed by Wayne in 1953. Sophie was a wonderful, attentive and busy mother.

Norman accepted a new position in 1956 at the Security State Bank and the family moved to Colby. It was there that Sophie became a member of the PTA and was very active in her children's girl and boy Scouts.

One of Sophie's hobbies was sewing for her family and it developed into a small cottage industry. There were many brides, attendants and flower girls that wore Sophie originals. 

Sophie was very active in her church, First United Church of Christ, being a Sunday school teacher. She was a member of the Women's Guild and devoted 35 years as the head cook for the church, organizing the meals for hundreds of weddings, funerals and Colby Cheese Days. She was a member of the Eastern Star. 

Sophie enjoyed vegetable gardening and rewarded her family with delicious meals. She was a top-notch mom.

Sophie and Norman were a very social couple who enjoyed bowling, dancing at the Silver Dome in Neillsville, going "up north" fishing and traveling after Norman retired. They celebrated many birthdays and anniversaries with large family parties.

After her children graduated into high school, she became the secretary and member of the Board of Directors for Hull Town Mutual Insurance Company.

Sophie and Norman moved from their home on County N into the city of Colby in 2003, and then to the Angelus Retirement Community in Marshfield.

Sophie's health began to fail after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, but she always had a smile on her face and to the end, she could always dance. Now she will dance in our hearts.

Sophie is lovingly survived by her children, Gail M. (David) Jaeger of Wausau, Gene E. (Mary Lee Brunker) Reineking, Almond and Wayne G. (Jain Skaar) Reineking of Marathon; grandchildren, Erik C. Kubs of Novi, Mich., and Aaron D. Reineking of Mauston; great-grandchildren, Carissa Kaylan Taylor of Fort Mill, S.C., and Alec John Kubs of Novi Mich.; as well as many other extended family and friends.

Sophie was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Charlotte, at birth in November 1946; brothers and sisters, Rose Howard, August Bizjak, Karl Bizjak, Joseph Bizjak, John Bizjak and Agnes Wehrmann.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Sophie's memory. 

Friends may send online condolences towww.maurinaschillingfuneralhome.com.