Blanche Reiners

Blanche Reiners, age 95, of Milbank, died Friday, July 10, 2015, at Milbank Area Hospital – Avera Health.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 17, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church in Milbank with Rev. Dr. DeVern Schwenn and Rev. Thom Bowsher officiating. Burial will follow in the Milbank City Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July from 4-5 p.m. at St. Williams Care Center and from 5-7 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank. Visitation will continue on Friday for one hour prior to the time of service.

Casket bearers will be John Reiners, Parker Wainwright, Michael Schaefer, Lester Chandler, David Kruger, Harlan Bohn, David Reiners, and Charles Falk.

Blanche Clara (Sturset) Reiners was born at home on September 29, 1919, at rural Centerville, Delaware Township, Lincoln County, South Dakota, the daughter of Albert and Bertha Christine (Jorgenson Holden) Sturset. She was baptized and confirmed at the Scandia Lutheran Church in Centerville. She grew up on a farm near Centerville and graduated from Centerville High School in 1937. She continued her education at Southern State Teachers College in Springfield receiving a teaching certificate in 1940. She began her first teaching position at Centerville.

She married Edwin Joseph Reiners on October 2, 1944, at the Presbyterian Parsonage in Lennox. They made their first home on a farm near Worthing where he was employed. When Edwin entered military service in March, 1945, Blanche remained in Lennox where she lived with his parents until his return in September of 1946.

The couple moved to Twin Brooks, South Dakota in 1947. Blanche taught school in Twin Brooks, LaBolt, and at Alban #4 southeast of Milbank. She also worked briefly at Schad’s Bakery in Milbank and as a volunteer in the Community Thrift Store. She was the principle bookkeeper for Edwin’s construction business for many years.

Primarily a homemaker, Blanche enjoyed gardening, canning, and baking. Her family remembers their favorite buttermilk pancakes that she lovingly prepared at the slightest request. She raised chickens and sold eggs to local families for many years an activity through which she made many lasting friendships.

Blanche found her greatest joy in her children and her grandchildren. She especially enjoyed having Steven and Jennifer spend the entire summer with them for many years as they were growing up. She always looked forward to the holiday visits of Heidi and John.

Blanche is survived by her three sons, Roger and his wife, Melanie, of Milbank; Darrell of Marysville, TN; Robert and his wife, Colette of Pierre, SD. Four grandchildren, Steven (Whitney) Reiners, Knoxville, TN; Jennifer (Parker) Wainwright, North Richardson Hills, TX; Heidi Reiners and John Reiners of Pierre; two great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and five step-great grandchildren; and one sister, Berniece Ankeney of Milbank, SD.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin, on January 10, 2015; one infant son and three infant daughters all who died at birth; two brothers, Howard Sturset and Harold Sturset; one sister, Alma Sturset.

Blessed be the memory of Blanche Clara Reiners.