Peter Erling Reinertsen

Peter Erling Reinertsen

December 24, 1949 - January 8, 2024

One of the most magnanimous, gregarious and humble humans to ever walk the earth has passed away. Peter Erling Reinertsen was born on Christmas Eve in 1949 in Eshowe, Natal province of South Africa, to American Lutheran Missionaries Reverend and Mrs. Luther and Lillian (Munson) Reinertsen. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 8, 2024 at his home in Sun Lakes, AZ

Peter was the youngest of three children, whose early years were shaped by life on the mission in South Africa. He lived in Eshowe and Welkom until he was 9, when his parents were tragically killed in a car accident. After nearly two years living amongst mission family in Eshowe and Hlabisa, the three children returned to the United States in 1961 to live in Humboldt, IA with their father's sister and brother-in-law, Reverend Lawrence and Mrs. Camilla Jensen, and cousins, now siblings, David and Ann. It was here, at the age of 11, that he saw his first snowfall, adjusted from the strict British boarding school to the considerably less formal American system, and met his future wife, Cindy Cran.

After graduating from Humboldt high school in 1968, Peter and Cindy both attended St Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, where he graduated in 1972 as a history major. As he later regaled family and friends with tales of college pranks, while tears of laughter streamed down his face, it was clear he made deep friendships and mischief in equal measure. At St Olaf he developed a lifelong appreciation for the Ole Choir, and in particular their Christmas concert. Peter and Cindy married 49.5 years ago on June 29, 1974 in Humboldt, IA.

His career in oil and gas marketing took him and Cindy from the suburbs of Minneapolis to Clear Lake, IA then to Cedar Rapids and Jesup before retiring in Waterloo. He began his career at Skelgas Oil before starting his own petroleum distribution company, Perco. In 1991, he bought Jesup-based Frost Oil and later merged with other distribution companies to become President of Consolidated Energy Company. He was widely known to be fair, clever, honest and true to his word, in his business dealings and in life. He abided by a personal code of ethics, which included an unmatched commitment to the well-being of the employees and customers of the company.

Anyone who knew Peter knew he never did things by halves - it was always 100%, and often far more. From sunscreen application, to following doctor's orders, to tomato gardening, to smoking the perfect ribs, he deeply researched, planned, critiqued and strategized to make it even more perfect the next time - organizing his findings in meticulously labeled, white, 3-ringed binders.

He adored his four grandchildren, teaching the kids perseverance, loyalty and being kind to others. His last words to his grandson Andrew were "always work hard and always be a gentleman, and you will go far in life." This summer he created garden plots for each grandchild, allowing them to choose the seeds to plant. Though several attempts at rainbow carrots were ultimately rejected by the 5-year-olds' palates, zinnias, sunflowers and potatoes bloomed next to countless varieties of tomatoes and peppers. His wife and daughters will ensure his memory lives on in his grandchildren, who today only have some idea of the character of their grandfather and his influence in their lives.

Peter was a member of St John's Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, IA and King of Glory Church in Tempe, Arizona. As a "double PK" child (preacher's kid), the Lutheran Church has always been an important and stabilizing presence in his life.

No reflection on Peter would be complete without mentioning his love of the Iowa Hawkeyes, especially football and basketball - not to mention his Hawkeye off-season focus on the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins. Several friends' and families' emails are much less full this week, void of his near-daily (and sometimes more than that!) updates on the teams, upcoming competitors, gameday previews, and recruiting. No one knew more stats and scuttlebutt about some 3 star high school sophomore out of suburban New Jersey that Iowa has their eye on than Peter. His last, but by no means only, trip to Kinnick was with Cindy, his daughters, sons-in-law and grandkids for the Crossover on October 5, 2023; his last trip to Carver was with Cindy and his daughter Sarah on December 30, 2023.

Peter and Cindy were enjoying retirement in Sun Lakes, Arizona during the winters, where they were surrounded by a large group of jovial and faithful friends golfing, traveling, socializing, and watching Hawkeye games at "Carver South" and "Kinnick South". Though his neighbors will continue to hear the victory polka for years to come as Cindy carries on their tradition, Pete's Cantina will be missing the person to always say "How 'bout now?" and ensure all guests were greeted, comfortable, included - and most definitely not thirsty.

This hospitality extended to their home in Waterloo and Peter's omnipresence at Sunnyside Country Club. Every week he sent out a tee sheet to a multi-generational group of golfers, organizing and advising the teams, but as it included challenges, bits of wisdom or history, as well as the frequent ribbing of fellow golfers, the comradery of this group extended via jokes and barbs well past the 19th hole. Sunnyside members are encouraged to pick up various gardening duties on his behalf, in particular ensuring the bunkers are always properly raked.

But perhaps Peter's greatest role in life was to be the loving husband to and champion of Cindy. In times of self-doubt, he was always there for her with words of encouragement and optimism. In early marriage, when Cindy became coach of the newly formed Fridley, Minnesota girls basketball team, Peter was by her side drawing up plays and helping with motivation, the joint effort that ultimately led the team to a 13-2 season and beating one of the top teams in the state. Together they always looked for opportunities to reflect on their life's blessings, as they went on garden walks, traveled, and appreciated Arizona sunsets. He encouraged and supported Cindy to do whatever she wanted, from graduate school to large garden projects, and his absolute priority was to shower her with love and affection.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Luther and Lillian Reinertsen; his uncle and aunt, Reverend Lawrence and Camila Jensen; his brother, David Jensen; brother-in-law, Peter Cran and parents-in-law, Burton Cran and Charlene (Cran) Wiegert.

Peter is survived by his wife, Cindy; his daughters and sons-in-law, Sarah Reinertsen and Tim Marron of Iowa City, and Amy and Joshua Federspiel of Waterloo, his beloved grandchildren, Andrew, Lillian, Abby and James; his sister and partner, Naomi Davidson and Charlie Weihe of Crystal, Minnesota, his brother and sister-in-law, Dr.James and Cheryl Reinertsen of Alta, WY, his sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Ron Surace of Evanston, IL; his sister-in-law, Monica Johnson of Humboldt, IA, and nieces and nephews: Lisa, Kristin, Emily, Anders, McKenzie, Lindsey, Christopher, Katie, Tommy and Maia. Peter's friendships spanned generations, genders and continents, were too deep and too numerous to mention, and too precious to him to not - he loved and enjoyed all of them.

A visitation will be held at Locke Funeral Home at Tower Park in Waterloo on Thursday, January 18, 2024 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. and funeral services will be on Friday, January 19, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at St John's Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, with a celebration of life to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to causes close to Peter's generous heart: Camp Courageous of Iowa, Waterloo Schools Foundation, and St. John Lutheran Church.

Memories and condolences can be shared at www.lockefuneralservices.com