Lois Elaine Reinke

REINKE, LOIS ELAINE MADISON-Lois Elaine Reinke, age 86, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 1, 2014. She was born in Madison, Wis., on Oct. 11, 1927, to William A. Williams, Sr. and Helen (Olson) Williams. Lois grew up one of seven children on a dairy farm on the southwest side of Madison, near the top of Arbor Hills, just off the West Beltline. In her 20’s, Lois worked at a local potato chip factory and as a waitress at Sherwood Forest/Namio’s Supper Club on Park Street. Her family loved music, with all her siblings either playing an instrument, singing, or both, which led her to become a vocalist with Francis McMahon And His Shamrock Band for three years in the 60’s. Lois and the band performed on 113 televised shows during that period. After meeting Jerry Reinke, her husband of 40 years in 1966, she would often be requested to take the stage at Leske’s Supper Club in Monona to sing a few songs. Lois absolutely loved to play the piano and sing. She was always dressed meticulously whether going out grocery shopping or going out to dinner. Lois was extremely proud of keeping a very clean and tidy home, as well as being an incredible cook and baker; her pies and cookies will be dearly missed. She loved planting flowers every spring and had quite the green thumb. Lois was a wonderfully unselfish woman, who always put family first and loved to help and support people in need. An intelligent woman with quite a sense of humor, she loved dishing out one-liners, watching older sitcoms and black and white movies. Lois, or “Loie,” as many of her friends and family called her, was truly a wonderful and vibrant woman and will be sincerely and deeply missed by all who had the opportunity to be a part of her life. She is survived by her sons; Barry W. Mundt (Michael Ann) of Cedar Grove and Nicholas E. Mundt of Madison; a brother, William A. Williams, Jr., of Cushing, Okla.; grandchildren, Kris McCord, Tyler (Jeniffer) Mundt, Stephanie (Nick) Mingo, Adam Mundt, Myriah Mundt, Lydiah Mundt, Noah Mundt, Jessica (Brian) Gale, Rebecca (Andy) Wutkowski, Emily Locke, and Manuela Mundt; 13 great-grandchildren; and step-son, William Reinke. She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter and oldest child, Vickie Lynn Mundt; her husband of 40 years, Jerome J. Reinke; first husband, Edwin N. Mundt; her parents; brothers, Leslie and Richard (Arlene) Williams; sisters, Eleanor Harris, Evelyn Loomis, and Audrey Breitenbach; and a step-daughter, Kathleen Locke. A gathering of remembrance will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., on Friday, March 7, 2014. Anyone with any old photographs of Lois are encouraged to bring them along to be displayed with the family photos. They will be returned following the gathering. The family wishes to extend deep and sincere gratitude to the Heartland Hospice Services of Madison, especially Natalya, Liz, Karla, Elaine, Sylvia, and Susan; Serenity Home in Deforest; and Karmenta Nursing Home in Madison. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heartland Hospice. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.