Nathalie Reinke

Nathalie Mae Louise (Drews) Reinke, age 87, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away Friday, June 27, 2025, at Aspirus Riverview Hospital, Wisconsin Rapids.

Services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church in Kellner located at 8020 South Park Road, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494. Rev. Matthew Lorfeld will officiate. Burial will be at St. John Lutheran Parish Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, July 1 and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services on Wednesday July 2 at St. John Lutheran Church.

Nathalie was born on April 4, 1938, in the town of Weston, WI to Oscar and Margaret (Schultz) Drews. She was raised in the Wausau area. She attended Edgar High School and attended UW Madison. She married Wallace “Bud” Reinke on February 25, 1956 in Schofield, WI. They were blessed with six children and nearly 59 years of marriage before Bud passed away in 2015.

Nathalie worked at Children’s Choice Elementary School in Wisconsin Rapids for 22 years, both as a noon aide and in the library helping young children learn how to read.

Nathalie loved gardening, sewing, canning, baking pies, crafting, raising chickens, and teaching children. She enjoyed helping her son, Greg, at Reinke’s Down on the Farm Harvest and Craft Festival in Wisconsin Rapids and her daughter, Lisa, at Trillium Creek Wedding and Event Barn north of Wausau. Nathalie was an active member in the community, dedicating time to the Cancer Crusade, Girl Scouts of America, as a troop leader, and other local organizations.

Nathalie was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church in Kellner where she was active in the Evening Guild, Ladies Aide, Altar Guild, and quilting group. With her special talent, she crafted many beautiful handmade banners that adorn the church for various services.

Nathalie is survived by four sons: Phillip Reinke of Hollywood, FL, Jeffery (Deborah Sheehan) Reinke of Arlington Heights, IL, Gregory Reinke of Wisconsin Rapids, and John (Kari) Reinke of Wisconsin Rapids; two daughters: Patricia (Fred) Lumby of Wisconsin Rapids and Lisa (Gary) Reinke-Statz of Middleton, WI; eleven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and close friends Marlene Mulderink and Mary Leach. She was preceded in death by her parents Oscar and Margaret Drews; husband Wallace “Bud”; and two brothers: Donald Drews and David Drews.

We would like to thank Aspirus Riverview Hospital, Home Instead Home Care, Hilltop Home Care, and Edgewater Haven Nursing Home.

Herman-Taylor Funeral Home, Wisconsin Rapids, is honored to be assisting the family.