Leora Rehnke

Leora Rehnke, age 91, a former Summit and Milbank area resident died October 30, 2015, at her daughters residence in Minneapolis, MN.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2015, at 1:30 p.m. at Valley Baptist Church in Milbank. Rev. Dr. DeVern Schwenn will officiate and burial will be in Osceola #2 Cemetery, Marvin.

Visitation will be held at Valley Baptist Church on Wednesday from 5 – 7 p.m. and continue at the church on Thursday, on hour prior to the service.

Music will be provided by Barb Bear, organist and Shirone Spolar, vocalist. Casket bearers will be: Matthew Jaeger, Brad Kempenich, James Marquardt, Robert Sackreiter, Jason Sackreiter, and Mark Bates.

Leora Ruth (Marquardt) Rehnke was born November 8, 1923, at Danvers, MN. She was the daughter of Paul and Jennie (Van Buren) Marquardt. The family lived near Collis, MN for a few years and later lived at Johnson, MN. Leora attended grade school and went to high school in Graceville, MN, graduating with the class of 1940.

Leora took a teacher training course in Ortonville, MN in 1942-1943. She completed the course and taught in rural schools. She was united in marriage with Edgel Rehnke on March 3, 1946, at the Evangelical Church in Twin Brooks, SD. To this union two daughters were born, Charlotte and Nancy.

Leora farmed with her husband in several northeast South Dakota communities before moving to Marvin, SD. They lived there eight years and in 1969 purchased the Summit Variety and Hardware Store. Edgel died in 1993. Leora remained in Summit until moving to Milbank in 1997.

Leora began playing piano and organ by ear when she was three years old. In high school she was active in band and glee club. She and Edgel sang duets at many occasions. Leora was church organist at the Summit Baptist Church where she was an active member and also taught Sunday School. She was the organist at the Presbyterian Church in Twin Brooks, as well as playing piano monthly at Golden Living Center.

Leora Rehnke is survived by her daughters: Nancy Rehnke and Charlotte (Donald) Jaeger of Minneapolis, MN; three grandchildren: Jennifer Rehnke of Portland, OR; Matthew Jaeger of Minneapolis, MN; Keriann (Brad) Kempenich of Circle Pine, MN; three great-grandchildren: Konstance Kempenich, Natalie Kempenich, and Samantha Kempenich.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one brother, Albert Marquardt; three sisters: Vivian Marquardt (at age 15); Golda Keppler; and Cleo Runge.