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Michael P. Reinert, 72, of Alta died Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023 at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake.
Funeral Mass will take place Saturday, Dec. 16, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Alta. Visitation will take place Friday, Dec. 15, from 4-8 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake.
Michael Peter Reinert was born Sept. 30, 1951 to Floyd and Hilda (Henke) Reinert in Cherokee. He was baptized and later confirmed at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cherokee. Mike attended school at Immaculate Conception Catholic School through 11th grade. In 1970, Mike graduated from Washington High School in Cherokee. After high school, Michael served in the U.S. Army from 1970-1972, where he was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska, and was a member of the Army’s Parachute Club.
On Sept. 28, 1973, Mike was united in marriage to Brenda Walsh at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. They were blessed with two sons, Jaydon and Chris.
Mike was the Balloon Meister for Storm Lake Balloon Days, acted as Assistant Director of the Indianola Balloon Classic, held the office of Secretary for the Iowa Balloon Association and he donated his time, talent and treasure to Alta-Aurelia schools and athletics and to many other organizations.
Mike owned and operated Olsen Welding & Machine in Storm Lake for 42 years. He was also a Hot Air Balloonist and was happiest piloting his balloon, Air Forge. He enjoyed traveling to Germany with Scott for a trip of a lifetime. The family recently visited O’ahu in celebration of Mike and Brenda’s 50th wedding anniversary, making memories that will be forever cherished. Many of Papa Mike's most cherished moments were spent with his grandchildren, his highlight was attending sporting events and cheering on the Alta-Aurelia Warriors. He became an unofficial grandpa to many other of his grandchildren's friends. He worked hard to provide Brenda and his family an amazing life, one for which they will forever be grateful. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Left to cherish Mike’s memory include his beloved wife Brenda (Walsh) Reinert of Alta; children: Jaydon (Sarah) Reinert of Ankeny; Chris (Angie) Reinert of Alta; brothers: Phillip (Sharon) Reinert, Paul (Susan) Reinert, John (Lorie) Reinert of Cherokee; Dale (Lisa) Reinert, Peter (Janet) Reinert of Storm Lake; sisters, Mary Jo (Ted) Cline of Cherokee and Elizabeth Reinert of Newton; grandchildren: Carson Reinert of Alta; Camden Reinert of Alta; Elin Reinert of Ankeny; Nile Reinert of Ankeny; honorary son Scott (Heather) Gudenkauf and children: Alex, Anna and Grace of Cedar Rapids; extended family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother Hilda Henke; father Floyd Reinert, step-mother Evelyn Reinert; brother Ralph Reinert; mother-in-law Bonnie Walsh; father-in-law Noel Walsh; and brother-in-law Bradley Walsh.
