Larry(Arty) Reinke

1944 - 2021

Larry(Arty) Reinke

Appleton - Larry (Arty) Reinke was welcomed to his heavenly home on June 28, 2021, after a challenging battle with dementia. He passed with his loving wife by his side, listening to his favorite music.

Born in Appleton on February 8, 1944 to Lawrence and Germaine (Stammer) Reinke, Larry was the youngest of five children. He was blessed with the most beautiful ocean blue eyes. His early teen years were spent working at Quaker Dairy where he created many fond memories. He then proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1961-1965. In 1966 he started his career with the Appleton Fire Department and made his way up to Captain before retiring after 34 years of service. In his earlier years he raced at the Outagamie County racetrack in Apple Creek.

As a father, Larry was tough but kind. He deeply cherished family time- raising 3 children whom he was very proud of. He and Susan were together for 44 years married on August 17, 1984 and they took great pride in the home they built together in the Town of Ellington. Christmas was Larry's favorite holiday. He loved wrapping hundreds of presents - each one more beautiful than the next and he never skimped on the tape! His meticulous attention to detail was like no other. His grandkids will forever cherish the big hand painted boxes full of unique ornaments he gave them, and the toolboxes full of countless tools and gadgets all sorted and listed neatly. Waxing his vehicles until they shined like glass was a favorite of his. Larry also loved Harley's, Mopar, Kubota, Fords, landscaping, woodworking, creative sign painting, his Shih Tzu's- Cheeka, Koko and Mitzi, and cooking. His specialties were chili, potato salad, baked beans, spaghetti and who could forget that onion dip! He had a major sweet tooth- especially Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Peeps.

Larry was a kind-hearted and selfless; not skipping a beat to help when hurricane Katrina hit. He created a living legacy with hundreds of trees he planted in his lifetime. He truly made the world a better place and made an impact on everyone he knew that will not be forgotten.

Larry is survived by his wife Susan, children Jesse(Jenny), Travis, Jamie Reinke, granddaughters Hailey Reinke and Bailey Sweitzer, great granddaughter Wrenly, sister Mary Panzenhagen, brother in laws Fred(Toni), John(Carole) Ringel and former wife Barb Reinke, numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, brother Richard Reinke, sisters Betty Weyenberg and Jean Kilishek and brothers and sisters in laws as well as his mother and father in law Earl and Dorothy (Hattie) Pettis.

A thank you goes out to Heartland Hospice and the VA for their compassionate care.

A funeral service will be held at 6:00 pm on Sunday July 11, 2021 at Valley Funeral Home (2211 N. Richmond St. Appleton) Visitation will begin at 4:00 pm. Interment will be in St Joseph's Mausoleum Crypt.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flower a memorial has been established.