Ruth Reiner

Reiner, Ruth C. MADISON Ruth C. Reiner, age 96, of Madison, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008, at Nazareth Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born on April 19, 1912, in Windsor, the daughter of Ole and Carrie (Hanson) Thorstad. Ruth married Earl Reiner on March 18, 1939, at St. Johns Lutheran Church, Madison. She was treasurer for the town of Burke from 1965 until 1989. Ruth was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church, Seminary Springs Mothers Club, and was active as a 4H leader. She was truly proud of her Norwegian heritage and the family Christmas tree on Highway T, that was decorated since the early 1980s with 7,000 lights on it. Ruth enjoyed car rides, playing cards, and phone calls to her family. Her family and friends loved her cooking. Ruth is survived by her children, Beverly (Rodney) Homburg of Cottage Grove, Karen Reiner of Madison, and Earl (Mary) Reiner Jr. of Madison; grandchildren, Tammy (Tom) Knickmeier, Joshua Reiner (friend, Amanda), Jennifer (Ben) Cotter, and Jon (Emily) Reiner; great-grandson, Kole Knickmeier; and sister-in-law, Viola Reiner. She was preceded in death by her husband; sisters, Alice Hart, Margaret Wheeler, Mabel Fisk, and Kathryn Cowan; and brothers, John, Henry, Obert and Arthur Thorstad. Funeral services will be held at ST. JOHNS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 322 E. Washington Ave., Madison, at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008, with the Rev. Ken Smith presiding. Visitation will be at the church from 4:30 p.m. until the time of the service. Private burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens. Memorials may be made to Alzheimers Association, in care of the Ruth Reiner Memorial Fund, 517 N. Segoe Road, Suite 301, Madison, WI 53705. A special thanks to Virginia Quam for her loving and dedicated home care, and also to Nazareth House caregivers, who treated her like their own grandma. We know Ruths spirit lives on, and she is surrounded by beauty beyond our imagination. She is at home in the hands of God.