Obituary of Wallace M. Reinke

Wallace "Bud" Myron Reinke, age 85, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2015 at Asprius Hospital in Wausau. Services will be at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, February 13, 2015 at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. Kevin Ader will officiate. Burial will be at St. John Lutheran Parish Cemetery in the town of Grant. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday and from 1:00 P.M. until the time of services on Friday at the funeral home. Wallace was born on January 29, 1930 in Merrill, WI to Carl and Mary Ann (Ney) Reinke. He married Natalie Mae Louise "Nathalie" Drews on February 25, 1956 in Schofield, WI. As a young man he worked at a toothpick factory for 25 cents an hour, sold vacuum cleaners and worked construction among other jobs. He was a machinist by trade. The couple moved to Wisconsin Rapids in 1957, when he started employment with Consolidated Papers Inc. at $1.75 per hour. He was a winder operator for 34 years, before retiring from Biron division in 1992. He enjoyed new cars, Big Red Gum, hunting and fishing with his sons and nephews. He was known as "Red Fox" on the CB radio. He had a quick sense of humor that he used to make his stay of nearly three months at Strawberry Lane Nursing and Rehab easier. Wallace is survived by his wife of nearly 59 years Nathalie; four sons: Phillip of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Jeffery (Deb) of Arlington Heights, IL, Gregory (special friend Tammy Presley), Patricia (Fred) Lumby, John (Kari) Reinke all of Wisconsin Rapids, WI; daughter Lisa (Gary) Reinke-Statz of Middleton, WI; eight grandchildren; six step grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three step great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law Viola Reinke of Wausau, WI and Helen Reinke of West Bend, WI. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Herbert, Elmer, Henry and his sisters, Elsie and Esther. The family wishes to thank Riverview and Asprius Hospitals and Strawberry Lane Nursing and Rehab doctors and staff for their kind and gentle care given to Bud. He enjoyed making them smile for all of the things that they did for him. His smile and wit will truly be missed. Memorials may be designated to the South Wood County Humane Society.