Obit: Reinhart, Esther M. (1934 – 2021)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Reinhart, Jirschele, Pfefferkorn, Estrada, Wrons, Johnson, Berg, Donovan, Bellile, Meyer, Hitchcock, Reierson, Coumoyer

Source: Tribune-Phonograph (Abbotsford, WI) 17 Nov 2021

Reinhart, Esther M. (7 Jan 1934 – 11 Nov 2021)

Esther M. Reinhart, 87, of Marshfield, passed away at her residence Nov. 11, 2021, with her family at her side. Esther was born Jan. 7, 1934, (a birthday she shared with her mother and brother Glenn) in Marshfield, to Joseph and Esther Jirschele. She attended St. John the Baptist Catholic School. She graduated from Tomahawk High School in 1951.

After graduation, she moved to Milwaukee and worked for an insurance company before returning to central Wisconsin. Esther got a job at Lewis Container in Colby where she met her future husband Galen “Reinie” Reinhart at a company picnic. They tied the knot on March 10, 1956, and settled in Colby.

They built a house and created a home for themselves and their six children.

Esther was active in a variety of activities in her community, including Sewing Club, Christian Mothers, and St. Mary’s Christian Home and School Association. She was a Brownie leader with the Girl Scouts and through her work with them started a lifelong friendship with Carol Pfefferkorn. She also taught First Communion preparation at St. Mary’s Church.

During her years in Colby, Esther and Reinie developed a strong network of friends in their neighborhood, church and through Reinie’s employer. In the mid 1970’s Esther and Reinie began enjoying an annual summer vacation in the Tomahawk area. In 1997, they purchased a home outside of Tomahawk on the Jersey flowage. Many happy days were spent on the deck of their home overlooking the water and enjoying the change of seasons.

During the years in Tomahawk Esther enjoyed participating in TOPS, Strong Women, the 51/52 group and the Old Farts Club. She also spent time volunteering for the Thrift Sellers, The Food Pantry, and the Tomahawk Historical Society. In 2018, Reinie and Esther decided it was time to relocate closer to their family so they moved to Marshfield. Esther’s last years were spent enjoying her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. She enjoyed preparing treats for everyone who visited. When one of her daughters asked her what she had wanted to be when she grew up, she replied that she had always wanted to be a wife and mother and considered herself very lucky that she was able to do exactly that. How many people can say that?

Esther is survived by her six children: Laurie (Gerald) Estrada of Kimberly, Susan (Ralph) Wrons of Albuquerque N.M., Julie (Mark) Johnson of Marshfield, Tom (Cathy) Reinhart of Colby, Timothy Reinhart of Stevens Point and Mary (Bill) Berg of Marshfield; her grandchildren: Brendan Donovan, Erin Bellile, Leah, Evan and Joseph Wrons, Justin Reinhart, Kelly Meyer, Ben Johnson, Kirsten Hitchcock, Sam Reierson, Kyle, Stephanie and Christian Berg; ten great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law: Betty Jirschele of Wisconsin Rapids and Patricia Jirschele of Marshfield. She was preceded in death by her husband, Galen; her parents, Esther (Cournoyer) and Joseph Jirschele, and twelve brothers and sisters.

A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, at Rembs Funeral Home, Marshfield. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. The service will be live streamed at www.facebook.com/rembsfuneralhomes. 

Condolences may be sent online at www.rembsfh.com.