Irene Reinhardt

On September 24, 2019, Irene Reinhardt, 98, Sterling (surrounded by her family), peacefully left this world to be with her Heavenly Father.

A celebration of Irene’s life will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7, with Pastor Don Dinger at Legacy United Methodist Church, 4600 Durango Dr., Bismarck. Visitation and prayer services will be held 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck.

Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck.

Irene (Wentz) Reinhardt was born April 9, 1921 in Napoleon, N.D. to Fred & Emelia Wentz. She was educated and began her “jack of all trades” career in Napoleon, N.D. On July 22, 1945, she married Elmer Reinhardt and their journey together began. From 1945 to 1967 the grocery business and other jobs drew them to many communities including Linton, Hettinger, Walhalla, Streeter and Bismarck. About 1949, Irene’s sewing career quietly began. She sewed aprons and sold them for $1 each. She donated the profits from her apron sales to the Streeter Missionary Society Club. She purchased a book that described how to make draperies and curtains and she thought, “I can do this” and what do you know, Irene’s Drapery Service was born.

In the midst of her business venture, she and Elmer started a family. Together they had 7 children: Ronald, LaDonna, Constance, Gary, Yvonne, Sherry and Todd.

The hum of her sewing machine kept a perfect rhythm that produced beautiful window coverings for individuals as well as her contracted work with area businesses – Sears & Roebuck Co., Dakota Flooring and Vantines of Bismarck as well as Meidinger’s Mercantile of Ashley and Family Clothing and the Red Door of Napoleon. The drapery business involved many family helping hands to measure, pin, hem, pleat, fasten hooks, fold and band the finished panels. Elmer was entrusted with the pleating as his meticulous work passed her eagle eye inspection. Irene and Elmer often worked together installing rods and hanging drapes.

In 1967, the family moved to Sterling to operate Tops Motel. A room was remodeled to accommodate Irene’s sewing machines and equipment. The motel became home not just for the family but the many patrons who stopped over the next 50+ years for “A Quiet Night’s Rest.”

As well as supervising staff for the drapery and motel businesses, Irene had a passion for gardening. A view of Tops Motel from Highway 10, included huge flower gardens. Irene’s parents planted the original gardens and Irene maintained and expanded the gardens in loving memory of her parents and also for her enjoyment. She and Elmer worked as a team gardening and keeping up the grounds of the motel. Each plant was lovingly cared for and valued. Many varieties started by Irene’s mother Emelia, still bloom today such as peonies, hollyhocks, tulips, irises, lilies, chamomilla tea, poppies, roses, daises, sedum geraniums and yes, the dreaded quack grass.

After Elmer’s untimely death in 1975, Irene lived the words of a favorite poem, “Keep a Goin’” to guide her path. The drapery businesses continued for a few more years, but the demand and attention required for the motel, became her focus.

Many motel guests walked her gardens with her exchanging stories. It was not unusual for her to give her guests slips of plants or seeds to carry to states unknown. She made the motel a tourist attraction, so to speak. She enjoyed visiting with guests who returned year after year, like the hunters and custom workers. Local people honked and waved in the early morning hours when they saw her out in her garden pulling weeds and talking to God.

Irene was a member of Legacy Methodist Church of Bismarck and an active viewer of the “Christian Worship Hour.”

In the late fall of 2015, when the leaves had changed colors and the cold began to chill our bones, Irene stumbled and fell into the winter of her life. She spent the next four years under the watchful care of the Baptist Care Center in Bismarck. She “kept a goin’” even with the physical and personal losses she had to endure. She was so strong. She got daily encouragement from her new made friends in her neighborhood. Thoughtful CNA’s and nurses care included singing with her and Google searching German words so they could talk and joke to her in the familiar language of earlier years shared with her parents, siblings and spouse. The family is very thankful for the extra effort and kindness displayed by her many caregivers and friends. In memory of Irene, please remember to LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE and “Keep a Goin’”

Irene is survived by her sister Florence (Alfred) Schumacher, her children, Ronald (Koreen) Reinhardt, Constance Bjelland, Kathy (daughter-in-law) Reinhardt, Yvonne (John) Heaton, Sherry (Dan) Wilson and Todd (Raedell) Reinhardt; 15 grandchildren, Kevin (Melva) Reinhardt, Corey (Gina) Reinhardt, KC Reinhardt, Christina (Richard) Miller, Stacy (Craig) Spellerberg, Kimberly Luyben, Bruce (Tammy) Bjelland, Brian (Brooke) Bjelland, Trish Reinhardt, Reed (Lynn) Reinhardt, Jesse (Landa) Heaton, Kelli (Bryan) Olmsted, Mariah (Chris) Heaton-Varcoe, Eric (Lisa) Wilson and James Wilson; 30 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Helen Rehn and Rose Halverson and many nieces and nephews, including Diane Zimmerman, special niece and friend.

She was preceded in death by Fred and Emelia Wentz (parents), Elmer Reinhardt (spouse), LaDonna & Bob Luyben (daughter & son-in-law), Gary Reinhardt (son), Clifford Elmer Wilson and Wayne Reinhardt (grandsons), Walter (Norma) Wentz (brother & sister-in-law), Agnes (Albert) Wolt, Adeline Siewert (James Hugelen & Erwin Siewert) sisters & brothers-in-law, Daniel (Dorothy) Reinhardt (mother & father-in-law), Emma (Rueben) Zimmerman, Raymond (Ozella) Reinhardt, Lorraine (Alex) Dilger, sisters & brothers-in-law, Lawrence Rehn and Floyd Halverson (brothers-in-law), Darla Atkinson and Georgia Dilger, nieces.

Memorials made in Irene's name can be made to the Anne Carlsen School (Jamestown, ND), Christian Worship Hour (Aberdeen, SD), or Legacy United Methodist Church (Bismarck, ND).