Lester W. Reinarts

Lester W. Reinarts was born on October 18, 1934 in New Ulm, MN to Edward and Lauretta (Forster) Reinarts. He worked for area farmers before joining the military during the Korean War. He was an Army Corporal from 1953-1955. After being discharged he worked for Sleepy Eye Stark Farmer's Creamery. Lester married Gladys Haala on April 3, 1956 in Sleepy Eye. He then began working at Haas Press, which later became Advertising Unlimited and Norwood Promotional Products until his retirement. In addition to his full time jobs, he worked various part-time jobs, including driving for Leonard Wendinger, Haala Industries and Pork Storks. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Catholic Aid, KC's and a member of the Sleepy Eye Fire Dept. for 29 years. Lester was recognized by the American Red Cross for saving the life of a co-worker by performing CPR. His hobbies included gardening, woodworking, playing cards with family and friends, listening to old time music, fishing and hunting. His family could always count on him for any repairs that needed to be done. He took great pride and enjoyed attending his grandchildren's activities. Lester's faith was very important throughout his entire life. It was his faith that helped him through 10 years of dialysis and in his last year battling cancer. Lester was looking forward to celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on April 3rd with his wife and family. He is survived by his wife, Gladys of Sleepy Eye, children, Gail (Mark) Bertrand of Akeley, Sheri (Dale) Tjernagel of Willmar, Shirley (Ed) Hornick of Sleepy Eye, Doug (Debbie) Reinarts of Comfrey, Randy (Deb) Reinarts, Kevin (Lori Neidecker) Reinarts, Scott (Darla) Reinarts, Janelle (Terry) Kopacek all of Sleepy Eye, 23 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, sisters, Joleen (Tom) Greene of Hopkins, LaVonne (Sylvester) Fischer of Lafayette, brothers, Dennis (Lorraine) Reinarts of New Ulm and Leon Reinarts of Columbia Heights, brothers and sisters-in-laws, Orlene Kral of New Ulm, Delores (Sylvester) Spaeth and Vernard (Donna) Haala all of Sleepy Eye. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Marvin and wife Delores Reinarts, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Elmer and Mabel Haala, Walter and Mildred Haala, Wilbert and Angie Haala and Harold Kral. Visitation 1 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Thursday, March 31, 2016 Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel 301 - 3rd Ave. S.W. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Visitation 2 7:30 am - 10:00 am Friday, April 1, 2016 Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel 301 - 3rd Ave. S.W. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Service Information 10:30 am Friday, April 1, 2016 St. Mary's Catholic Church-Sleepy Eye 636 1st Ave. North Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Interment Information St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery 720 3rd Ave. N.E. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Military Honors Provided by the Sleepy Eye Honor Guard