Dennis Gary Reinen

Dennis G. Reinen, age seventy-two, passed away on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at his home in Lodi, Wisconsin due to complications with esophageal cancer. Dennis was born on March 16, 1942 in Madison, Wisconsin, son of Alice and Maurice Reinen. In 1961, Dennis enlisted in the United States Navy where he served honorably on the USS Kitty Hawk during the Vietnam War. In the military, he learned the art of leadership and the values of discipline and integrity; he never lost sight of these core principles during his lifetime and continuously inspired those around him as a mentor and a leader. Dennis then went on to begin a successful thirty-year career in the telecommunications industry at Wisconsin Bell eventually starting his own communications consulting business that took him around the United States and Mexico. Throughout his life, Dennis had a thirst for knowledge, and his home library is unparalleled. He was the first in his family to graduate college: he graduated suma cum laude in May of 1991 from Edgewood College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a minor in economics. Dennis’ education and knowledge informed every aspect of his life, including his work on the Board of Directors at Heartland Credit Union. Dennis had a passion for economics and strongly believed in the philosophies of the credit union movement. He worked tirelessly on the Board of Directors at Heartland Credit Union for thirty years, and later, became Chairman of the Board. In a financial environment where only 10 percent of credit unions survive, Dennis’ passion, intelligence, and dedication helped to ensure that Heartland Credit Union not only succeeded, but thrived. When not working, Dennis could be found reading a book, fishing on his pond, tending bar for his friends and family, or engaging in discussions of politics. Dennis loved politics, and his quick wit and extensive knowledge of history ensured a lively debate about contemporary issues. Dennis was member of the Telephone Pioneers, served on their Board of Directors, was editor of their newsletter, and volunteered on many of their projects including the VA hospital, the Badger Honor Flight, and H.O.M.E. (Helping Our Military Everyday) to name a few. Dennis has been many things in his life: sailor, leader, student, teacher, thinker, and artist. In the minds of his friends and family, he will also be remembered as strong father, a thoughtful son, a caring husband, a loyal friend, and finally, a man of intelligence and integrity. Dennis is survived by his wife of thirty-six years, Diana; his children Jody, Greg, and Jennifer; his grandchildren Cory, Shawn, and Nicole; his mother Alice; his brother Doug; his sister-in-law Patricia; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Maurice, his brother Jack, his cousin Craig, and his sister-in-law Sherry. The family wishes to thank Dr. Lepeak and the Dean Clinic of Hematology and Oncology and all the other doctor’s at Dean Clinic for their tireless work during Dennis’ two-year struggle with cancer. We would also like to thank Agrace Hospice Care for their caring and gentle treatment that helped ease Dennis’ suffering during his last days. In place of a formal funeral, there will be a Celebration of Life held in honor of Dennis at Rex’s Innkeeper in Waunakee on September 8th from 4 to 7 P.M. In lieu of flowers, please support esophageal cancer research by donating to the Dean Foundation for Cancer Research. To learn more, visit http://www.deancare.com/Foundation/donate/ or call (608) 827-2335.