Reinhart 'Reiny' Besel

Arthur Reinhart Besel was born in Neusalz, Germany on September 10th, 1921. Reinhart immigrated to the United States by way of Ellis Island with an older brother and his parents, Emanuel and Auguste Besel in 1923, settling in Mountain Lake, Minnesota. He was proud of his German heritage and cherished his trips to the "old country" to hold on to connections with relatives displaced by World War II. Reiny was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith. Reiny was an active member of First Lutheran Church in St. James. He graduated from Mountain Lake High School. He had a deep love and faith in the Lord, serving on various boards and committees, teaching Sunday School, singing in choirs, and was head usher for many years. He helped with many benefits sponsored by AAL, now Thrivent. He enjoyed hearing stories of God's work through the global missions he and Mildred supported. He helped build prayer cabins including one dedicated as the BESEL prayer cabin at the Wilderness Fellowship in Frederic, Wisconsin, giving others a chance to meet alone with God. He will be remembered for his deep love of the land. He started farming with his horses, Prince and Silver and later farmed with his John Deere tractors, a B, a 60, a 3010, 4010, and 4430. He raised livestock focusing on hogs and laying hens-delivering "Eggs so fresh the hens haven't missed them." Reiny was active in Pork Producers, Farm Bureau, Minnesota Southwest Farm Management and Lions Club. Reiny and Mildred met when Mildred stopped to help a young, handsome man on the side of the road with car trouble. Mildred had just heard the sermon of "The Good Samaritan". This act of kindness led to Reiny and Mildred's marriage on June 18, 1950, celebrating 66 years of marriage in 2016. To this union they were blessed with four children, eleven grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren, with one more due any day. Supporting family was a fulfilling joy for him and he attended many concerts, recitals, confirmations and graduations of his children and grandchildren. Reiny was known as a people person and would love to sit down with you and enjoy a conversation, especially if coffee and a cookie were involved. His love showed in his warm smile and the twinkle in his eye. His firm handshake was his hug and *Auf Wiedersehen* was his best wishes for you as you went on your way. Reinhart was called to his eternal rest July 14th, 2016, at Good Samaritan Home in St. James, MN at the age of 94. Reinhart was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Herbert and William Besel. He is survived by his wife, Mildred, and four children, Norma Jean (Steve) Olson who have four children, K