Janet Elizabeth Reinsch was born to Vernon and Dolores Menke (Schroer) on Dec. 2, 1942, in Superior, Nebraska. She died Jan. 20, 2023, at Legacy Square Long Term Care Center in Henderson, Nebraska at the age of 80 years, 1 month, and 19 days.
Janet grew up in Lawrence, Nebraska where she attended school at Sacred Heart grade school and Lawrence High School.
She was united in marriage to Wayne Reinsch of Shickley, on Feb. 29, 1960, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in rural Shickley. This union blessed them with three sons: Mathew, Mark and Patrick.
With the support and encouragement from Wayne, Janet earned her GED while raising their three young sons. She then went on to receive an AAS degree in food service management and special health diets from Southeast Community College. Her love for cooking was shown over her years of employment in dietary positions. Janet served as a cafeteria supervisor for Geneva Public Schools followed by a kitchen supervisor at Fillmore County Hospital, and lastly a kitchen aid at Heritage Crossings in Geneva before retiring. Even when "retired" she loved subbing in the cafeteria for Fillmore Central Public Schools.
On many nice days, Janet could be found spending time on the deck that she and Wayne designed and built together. This deck hosted many family gatherings that either started or ended with a grilled meal and a glass of iced tea.
Janet had a love for gardening and canning. Gardening was usually a family affair. Whether it was
prepping, planting, weeding, harvesting or canning, a son, grandchild or great-grandchild was there to assist. For many years she planted a large strawberry patch which led to the title of Strawberry Grandma. This title started a collection in which she received an array of strawberry items gifted to her for birthdays, holidays, babysitting or just because.
Janet also enjoyed reading, going out to eat with friends, knitting and crocheting. She was known for gifting crocheted Afghans to family members at graduation, marriage, or birth of a little one.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Dolores; stepfather, Albert Drudik; husband, Wayne Reinsch; and brother, Jim Menke.
She is survived by her sons Mathew, Mark (Sarah), and Patrick (Karleen); siblings, Mel (Marie) Menke and Linda Menke; two half-brothers Ron (Janet) Drudik and Arlan (Sally) Drudik; grandchildren, Eric (Jodi) Reinsch, Melissa (Nick) Mussman, Austin (fiancé, Aracely) Reinsch, Brittney (fiancé, Eric) Reinsch, Brandon Reinsch, Ethan Reinsch, Patrick (Ashley) Elznic, and Kassidy Reinsch; great-grandchildren, Emmett, Madison, Sawyer, Makenzie, Seth, Kaisley, and Elizza; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A Funeral Mass for Janet was held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Geneva, Nebraska. A Rosary was prayed at the church at 10 a.m., prior to the Funeral Mass.
Charlotte Bumgarner was the organist and Deb Bixby was the Cantor. The hymns included "Be Not Afraid," "Prayer Of St. Francis," "On Eagle's Wings" and "Song Of Farewell."
Pallbearers included Eric Reinsch, Austin Reinsch, Nick Mussman, Melvin Menke, Ron Drudik and Arlan Drudik.
A graveside service was held in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery following the Funeral Mass.
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