Kenneth Albert Reinicke

Kenneth Albert Reinicke – a community director, little league coach, fishing guide, and lover of Nascar , and a consummate friend – died 7 April 2023 In Birmingham, Alabama surrounded by his three surviving children Holly, Jill, and Jon. He was 85.

Born 27 December, 1937, to Wilburt William Reinicke and Viola Helen Guthu in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, Ken was an adventurer and story teller from beginning to end. Whether growing up in Wisconsin Rapids, working at the paper mill, serving in the Army, hauling in a record musky or walleye, duck hunting with his black lab “Bat”, navigating down the Mississippi River, witnessing the famous Ice Bowl at Lambeau Field, or leading people to the bear viewing platform in Craig, Alaska… every experience was brought to life through the stories he shared with those he loved. The Great Outdoors was truly his heaven on earth!

Educated at Lincoln High School, along with the University of Wisconsin colleges and University of Missouri where his passion was in journalism. He was wise beyond his education, and people of all ages and stages in life benefited from his counsel and humor. He worked for Eagle River’s DNR with the Trees for Tomorrow program, Manitowish Waters’ North Lakeland Elementary School as Community Activities Director, where he coached/mentored students and brought retirees from the surrounding communities together for skill building opportunities, and his eventual retirement after 20 years. Chief organizer of the annual Muskie Classic, where record fish were celebrated.

He will be remembered most for his teasing jokes, entertaining stories, spending quality time with his family and friends and willingness to help those in need, while never wanting to take the credit, as giving from his heart and time is what he did best! In addition, Ken fell in love with Willow and Winnie, the cats, which kept him laughing and brought him pure joy.

After his later years, having survived cancer, heart surgery, and stomach surgery the adversity gave him a softer side and allowed his family to give back to him because of what he provided to them across 85 years with his many “hats” as Dad, Papa, Grandpa, brother, and true friend.

His memory will be cherished and kept alive by his adoring 3 children, 6 grandchildren, his brother Donald Reinicke, and sisters Beverly Corbin, Bette Kroeber, and Barbara MaHoney, along with multiple nieces and nephews.

There will be a small celebration of life in Wisconsin and Alabama in the fall, date pending.