Alta Naomi Reinking passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2008, of a heart attack. She was spending the week at the cabin with her family, then peacefully returned to her husband's side, only 7 weeks after his passing. Born in Columbus, Ohio on December 15, 1921, to George and Antoinette Mathew, Alta attended Westmar and North Central Colleges. There Alta met and married Rev. Lowell Reinking, her husband of 64 years. She taught school in Tenney, MN, at the site of their first parish. She was not only a wife and mother, but a full partner to Lowell in their Methodist ministry of over 60 years, doing every task as needed from hosting services at their home in Richfield, teaching Sunday and vacation bible school, leading and singing in choir, and providing monumental support to her husband and family.
She will be missed for her sparkling smile, unfailing optimism, unflagging faith in a life with God on earth and in the hereafter, and undifferentiated kindness and love.
Alta was preceded in death by her husband, Lowell; her daughter, Shari Rusk; her parents, George and Antoinette Mathew; and her brothers, Melvin Mathew and Elwood Mathew. She is survived by her sister, Clara Dolezal of Columbus, OH; children, Pamela (Dan) Alwin of Rochester, MN, Shelley (Paul) Dykstra Wessel, Delano, MN, and Philip (Yong) Reinking, St. Louis Park, MN; son-in-law Gary Rusk, Sunrise, AZ; grandchildren Ericca Johns, Joshua Rusk, Wade Rusk, Brenna Scanlan, Alyssa Leeper, Caleb Alwin, Oliver Dykstra, Mackenzie Dykstra, Conner Dykstra, and Simon Dykstra; and great-grandchildren Kara and Kate Johns, and Wesley and Paisley Scanlan.
A worship service of celebration will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 408 11th Street in Worthington, MN, on Wednesday, July 30, 2008, at 1:00 p.m, with Pastor Tom and Nelva Petersen officiating. There will be visitation prior to the service beginning at 12:00.
Please direct any memorials to the Lowell and Alta Reinking Scholarship Fund in care of: Garrett Theological Seminary, 2121 Sheridan Rd., Evanston, IL 60201.
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Benson Funeral Home in Worthington is in charge of the arrangements.
