Mildred G Reinhard

Mildred Reinhard passed away on Saturday March 30, 2013 at the age of 105. Mildred was born September 10, 1907 in Caledonia, MN to Josepha and Emil Kriese. She was the second child of what would be 4 children; Clint, Robert, and Margaret.

As a young girl Milly moved with her family to the plains of Montana where they homesteaded near Miles City. They left behind almost everything and lived in a sod house with a dirt floor built into a hillside. Milly remembered times when the farmers would come from miles around by horse and wagon to attend barn dances. She said they really knew how to have fun and support each other. Farming in the dry plains proved to be very difficult, and after a few years of struggle the family moved back - first to South Dakota and then back to La Crosse.

Because of her earlier homestead life, Milly never completed high school, but she was bright and possessed a thoughtful wisdom and was very resourceful. She was an able family matriarch.

As a young woman she worked at the Wisconsin Pearl Buttons factory in La Crosse, and then moved to Detroit with a friend to work as a telephone operator. There she met Wilbur Weldy. They soon fell in love and conspired to get married as soon as they could afford it. Since it was the Great Depression, this proved to be difficult. Fortunately Wilbur had training as a tool and die maker and he eventually found a job in Eau Claire. They married, and remained in Eau Claire until Wilbur found another job in La Crosse at the growing Trane Company.

With stable employment they were able to build their own home and raise a family. Through the years Milly and Wilbur had 3 sons: David, Robert, and Charles. She was a devoted stay at home mom volunteering time at church - first at Holy Trinity and then at Mary Mother of the Church Parish, at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church. When the boys became older, Milly branched out, got her drivers license, and became an Avon Representative, where she excelled. Her ability to relate to her customers and her willingness to apply herself were truly inspiring. She developed many close friends and returning customers.

Sadly in 1964 Wilbur died of cancer after over 30 years of marriage. She was a widow at age 57, but as a successful Avon representative she was able to maintain the household and keep things together. Milly was steadfast in adversity.

After Wilburs death Milly expanded her interests. She made new friends including a wonderful group of women who regularly socialized and did fun things together. She took up golf, swimming, and began to travel to new places, including the Caribbean. Milly was also an accomplished and productive artist and over the years displayed much of her work on the North side at Gifted Hands.

In her 70s, she surprised everyone by meeting and marrying a widower, Jim Reinhard. Jim was a wonderful companion and both of them were able to enjoy their retirement years together. They became snowbirds and spent winters in Arizona and summers in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, after several years together, Jim died suddenly of an aneurism and she was a widow yet again.

Even after Jims death she continued to lead an active life. She would fly to Arizona to visit her son David and his wife Alice, or fly to Seattle to visit her son Charles and his wife Teri. She always returned to her own home in La Crosse where Robert and his wife Kay lived.

Milly was an avid walker, and remained so even in her later years. In her 100s she could still walk on her own, and only needed a wheeled walker for added stability. She insisted on walking whenever she could. In time, her eyes were dimmed by macular degeneration and her hearing became poor. In response she got hearing aids and listened to books on tape. Through it all Milly did what she could and maintained a good spirit. She never gave up.

With the support of her neighbor Cindy Thrower, and her son Bob and his wife Kay, she was able to remain in her own home until she was 103. In the summer she loved sitting on the patio in the backyard where friends and family would visit. She loved the trees and the flowers.

Family was very important to Milly, and family included the Krause family of her sister Margaret (Mugs) and her husband Al. She loved getting together at family picnics and parties. She never lost the family spirit she learned on the prairies of Montana. We were all included in her daily prayers. We were truly blessed.

Milly was a devout Catholic and she practiced her faith with compassion for others. Her faith was not dogmatic and judgmental, but rather was understanding and loving.

She is preceded in death by her oldest son Dave, all of her siblings, her first husband Wilbur, and her second husband Jim. She leaves her son Robert and his wife Kay of La Crosse, her son Charles and his wife Teri of Seattle, including their sons Robin and Chad, and her deceased son Daves wife Alice Weldy, including their daughter Joyce, and Alices sons Patrick and Jay Dittman of Phoenix, AZ and Greg Dearman of San diego CA. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews from the Krause Family who have been most helpful and supportive of her throughout the years, especially Judy and Gene Mitby and Dick Krause.

The family wishes to thank Sister Katherine Stuttgen, from Mary, Mother of the Church Parish for her supporting visits, the loving staff at Hearten House for providing a safe and enriching environment for her to live, and Bethany St. Joseph for easing our moms last days.

Donations in Millys name may be made to the Danny Mitby Childrens Diabetes Fund c/o Franciscan Skemp Foundation, Inc. or Mary Mother of the Church Parish.

A private family service will be held. Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services La Crosse chapel is assisting the family.