Gerald Reinke

Gerald Henry Reinke, age 83, died at home in rural Sacred Heart, Minnesota on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Funeral Service will be held Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Granite Falls with Rev. Jonathan Varns officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will begin on Friday, September 13th from 5:00 – 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 6:30 PM, at Wing-Bain Funeral Home in Granite Falls and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. 

Gerald was born on June 9, 1941, at home on the family farm near Granite Falls, Minnesota to Henry and Helen (Slattum) Reinke. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Gerald went to District #21 country school than attended school in Granite Falls, graduating in 1959.

Gerald married Darlene Erickson on June 23, 1963, in Granite Falls. He worked at Rodgers Hydraulics from 1961 to 1975, then went to work at Crystal Sugar Coop in Renville, Minnesota. He continued working there for Southern Minnesota beet Sugar Coop until his retirement in 2007.

Gerald’s hobbies were flower and vegetable gardening, his apple orchard and truck farming. He also enjoyed working with his honey bees and deer hunting. He enjoyed playing organ in the church. Gerald loved to feed the deer and wild turkeys that would come up in the yard. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Gerald is survived by his wife of 61 years, Darlene Reinke; four children, Teresa Quintal of Sacred Heart, Mark Reinke of Sacred Heart, Allan (Lorri) Reinke of Morristown, Pam Reinke (David Zetah) of Clara City; eight grandchildren; five great grandchildren; nephew, Raymond Reinke of Nevada; as well as other relatives and friends.

Gerald is preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law; brothers, Roger and Harold; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.