Jane Marie Reinert passed away Dec. 30, 2023, at the St. Cloud Hospital. Celebration of Life will be Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, at Discovery Church in Sauk Rapids. Pastor Ryan Conrad will be officiating. Viewing will be 9-11 a.m. Service and time for remembrance will be 11 to noon followed by lunch.
Jane was born Jan. 20, 1937, in Kettle River to Ervin and Ailie Lake. Jane was united in marriage to Cyril (Cy) Reinert Aug. 23, 1958, at Annunciation Catholic Church in Mayhew Lake. As with everything, she committed to, she was a devoted wife, caring for Cy over the last decade of his life after he suffered an accident that left him paralyzed. She approached each day with positivity and optimism, a necessity for all caregivers, but a piece of her personality that had always been innate.
Jane always loved teaching, a passion sparked early by the “school” set up in the family’s barn. She was thrilled to study education and graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from St. Cloud State University. She taught in Foley, Osseo, Brooklyn Park and Sartell for 36 years and touched so many students’ lives throughout her career, becoming a favorite teacher to so many because of her warm spirit and joy for education.
She always loved traveling and visited England, New Zealand, Australia, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Russia on teacher programs, and also traveled extensively with her family to many different countries. As structured as she was in the classroom, she was a true free spirit while traveling. She loved to roam city streets without an itinerary, always managing to find at least one bakery along the way that would help satisfy her sweet tooth. She took many road trips to Tucson, where — like everywhere she went — she cultivated community and turned friends into family.
Jane’s family meant the world to her and her faith was an important part of her life. Her love of “family” extended to so many that needed her. She was a second mom and grandma to so many people. So many people knew what it was like to show up to Jane’s for coffee and instead being treated to a full meal (with homemade caramel rolls for dessert). Survivors include her son Scott (Lori) of Clearwater, Florida and daughter Tina of Sauk Rapids; and sister Kathy Lake (Mark Jennings). Jane was also a second mom to Paula Maritsch, Pamela Beard and Peggy Fuller. Jane leaves behind her grandchildren Parker (Silvia) Reinert, Kimberly (Jeremy) Stommes, Spencer (Toby) Reinert, Heather Olson, Quinten Reinert, Tayler Reinert, Alexander Zapf, Andy Buchner, Hanna Strandlund and Riley Zapf; her great-grandchildren; and friend Richard Gauthier. She was also a grandma to Rochelle Samavati, Andrea Nelson, Jacob Maritsch, Emily Fuller and Clayton Fuller.
Jane was preceded in death by her husband, infant son Mitchell, parents, brother Laverne Lake, daughter-in-law, Laura Reinert and son-in-law Robert Zapf.
The family is grateful to CentraCare-Coborn Cancer Center, Dr. Dahlia Elkadi, Dr. Pavan Kumar and their dedicated support staff.
R-2-1B
