Obit: Reineking, Sophie #2 (1922 - 2012)

Contact: Audrey Roedl

Email: audero@charter.net

Surnames: Reineking, Schaschl, Bizjak, Jaeger

----Source: The Loyal TRG (Loyal, Clark County, WI 29 Feb 2012)

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

Note: Birth date provided by Gail (Reineking) Jaeger

Sophie Reineking,89, formerly of Colby and Greenwood, was born into eternal life on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at home surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, March 3, at Maurina Shilling Funeral Home, Abbotsford. Rev. Kenneth A. Dix will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4:30-7 p.m. on Friday, March 2, at the funeral home, and again on Sayurday for one hour prior to service time. Burial will be in the Immanuel United Church of Christ Cemetery, Greenwood.

Sophie Bizjak was born the youngest of seven children, to August and Anna (nee Schaschl) 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) Greenwood. The wedding was originally planned for December, but Norman was in the Army and not able to leave. After the end of World War 11, 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. In 1949, Sophie gave birth to Gail. Gene made his entrance in 1950, followed by Wayne in 1953. Sophie was a wonderful, attentive and busy mother.

In 1956, Norman accepted a new position 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 her hobbies was sewing for her family and it developed into a small cottage industry. There were many brides, attendants and flower girls who wore Sophie Originals. Sophie was very active in First United Church of Christ, being a Sunday school teacher. She was a member of the Woman’s Guild and devoted 35 years as 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. She 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, Wausau; Gene E. (Mary Lee Brunker) Reineking, Almond, and Wayne G. (Jain Skaar) Reineking, Marathon; two grandchildren, Eric C. Kubs, Novi, Mich., and Aaron D. Reineking, Mauston. Two great-grandchildren, Carissa Kaylon Taylor, Fort Mill, S.C., and Alec John Kubs, Novi Mich.; As well as many other extended family and friends.

\She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Charlotte; and brothers and sisters, Rose Howard, August Bizjak, Karl Bizjak, Joseph Bizjak and Agnes Wehrmann.

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

Friends may send online condolences to www.maurinaschillingfuneralhome.com.

Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home, Abbotsford, assisted the family with arrangements.