Vinida "Vi" M. Reinardy, Janesville, WI (1916-2015)
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June 17, 1916 - June 23, 2015
Vinida “Vi” M. Reinardy, 99, passed away peacefully at Cedar Crest Health Care Facility on June 23, with her two children by her side. Vinida Marcia Filter was born June 17, 1916, in Milan, WI, the fourth of five daughters to Paul and Dora Filter. Vi was baptized at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Colby, WI, on June 27, 1917. After some time in Milan, her family moved to Kohler, for one year and then settled in Janesville, where she attended Janesville schools, graduating from the old Janesville High School in 1933. She, then, attended Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1937. She began her nursing career as an RN at Mercy Hospital, and eventually became the head surgical nurse. This is where she met her future husband, Everett. She retired from nursing once she had children. On June 21, 1941, Vi and Ev were married in the rectory of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Janesville. He was called into active duty on July 1, 1941. They spent two tours of duty in Macon, GA, and San Antonio, TX, until Ev went overseas in February 1943. They returned to Janesville, in October of 1945, before spending two years in Chicago, for his surgical residency. They, then, returned to Janesville, in mid-1949, where Ev began his surgical practice. Vi was a devoted and loving wife, mother and beloved grandmother. She and Ev selflessly provided their children with many opportunities she didn't have growing up. She was active in the Janesville Women's Club and the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary, working for years in the hospital coffee shop and also helping with hospital baby photos for a short time. She was instrumental in starting the Visiting Nurse Association in Janesville. She loved to play bridge and was good at it. ("Lucky in cards, lucky in love.") She was also a good cook, and loved to bake, giving away plates of assorted Christmas cookies every year. She also did much knitting and crocheting for her family. Vi enjoyed flower gardening, and also had an uncanny knack for finding four-leaf clovers. She was a dog-lover, as well as a nature-lover, able to identify many different flowers and birds. Her family was privileged to hear her recite many quaint little sayings! In the 1970’s, she and Ev traveled extensively, seeing much of Europe and visiting Australia, Japan, and Alaska. After Ev retired in 1978, due to health reasons, they spent their winters in Punta Gorda, FL, where Vi volunteered at the Life Care Center for the elderly, as well as a wild life center. They returned full-time to Wisconsin in late 1999, and spent their remaining years at Cedar Crest.
Vi is survived by one remaining sister, Carol Stuart (Knowlton) of Zanesville, OH, a son, David (Gina) Reinardy of De Pere; and a daughter, Patti (Hon. Andrew) of West Bend; grandchildren: Adam (Kaela) Reinardy, Ben (Wendy) Gonring, Amanda (Frank) Palmstein, Kate (Luke) Deppert, and Nick (Kelsey) Gonring; as well as great-grandchildren: Katie Reinardy, Jake, Zach, Noah, and Seth Gonring, Brooke and Adam Deppert, Kennedy, Gabe, Layla, and Riley Deppert; nieces and nephews: John (Cindy) Pierson, Tom (Gail) McDonnell, Sandy McDonnell, Terry Stuart and Debbie Queen. Vi was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters: Grace (Edgar) Pierson, Katherine (Arthur) McDonnell and Verabelle (Bill) Drager; nephew, Jim Pierson; husband, Everett; in-laws: Francis (Marguerite) Reinardy, Charles (Mary Jo) Reinardy, Eleanor (Lester) Coughlin, Robert (Florence) Reinardy, and Arthur (Helen and Dorothy) Reinardy. She was also preceded in death by Ev’s niece, Jean Drozdowicz (Rocky), who extended much kindness to Vi and Ev throughout the years.
The family wishes to give special thanks to Agrace Hospice Care for their care of mom in her final days, to the staff of Cedar Crest Health Care Facility, where she resided since April of this year, and to the staff of the Memory Care Unit, especially Jenny, Ashley, Stacey, and Jan, and Heather Dorn, R.N., for their years of devotion, care, and companionship to our mother.
A Memorial Service for Vi will be held Saturday, July 25, at 11 a.m. at SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME, 1800 E. Racine St., Janesville, with Rev. John Froiland officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 until the time of service. For on-line condolences and registry: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com
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