Francis J. "Tanny" Reinsch

Francis John (Tanny) Reinsch was born on a farm northwest of Shickley on July 5, 1930. He was the fourth of five children born to Ernest A. and Florence (Jacque) Reinsch. He died at Fairview Manor in Fairmont, Nebraska on March 3, 2023 at the age of 92 years, 7 months and 29 days. As a boy, Tanny attended country school district #48, and graduated from Geneva High School in 1947. He was drafted into the Army March 13, 1952, and he was called to report to the front lines of Korea on Christmas Eve of that year. Unlike many veterans, Tanny was willing to share stories of the battles, hardships, and losses during his time in Korea. He was honorably discharged on December 12, 1953 and returned home to Geneva to work for Wilkins Construction. During this period, he met Marilyn Leininger of York. They were married at St. Joseph Catholic Church in York on October 22, 1955. To this union three children were born; Christine, Patrick, and Laurie. In 1956, Tanny and Marilyn moved to his uncle’s farm northwest of Shickley and engaged in farming. Tanny was known for his strength and strong work ethic. Many now-grown men can attest to this as they can recall being hired in their younger years to help move lines of “hand-move” sprinkler pipe twice a day every day in the summers. In 1968, Tanny and Marilyn started taking yearly trips with friends to Las Vegas. Over the years the frequency of these trips increased. He loved playing cards, including pitch, pinochle, euchre, and of course, his favorite, poker. Although he was a gentle and humble man, he was proud of his service to his country. He was a past commander of Shickley Legion Post #164, a lifetime member of the DAV and VFW Post #7102 in Geneva. He served on the Shickley School Board and was a member of the Elks. Tanny was a devout Catholic and served as a trustee for St. Mary Catholic Church of Shickley. He was on the building committee when the new church was built, and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus. He was truly a family man and attended all the activities of his children and grandchildren. In later years he would comment on how precious his great-grandchildren were to him and how very blessed he was to live long enough to meet and know them. Tanny was preceded in death by his parents; his son Patrick; siblings and spouses Evelyn & Jim Dorman, Bill and Dorothy Reinsch, Ron Reinsch; and brothers-in-law Bob Rosener and Claiton Lauber. Also preceding him were his in-laws John and Christena Leininger, Marcella and Vernon Heinz and Jerome and Elaine Leininger. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marilyn; daughters Christine (Reg) Sissel of Davenport, Laurie Reinsch of Lincoln; grandchildren and families Theresa (Carl) Monaco, and their children Tyler and Cade of Scottsdale, Katie (Michael) Vech and their children Hannah, Veronica, Julia, Lydia, Mary and Joseph of Wahoo, and Ross (Bridgett) Sissel and their children Eli, Bennett, and Jude of Kansas City; his sister Camilla Lauber of Dallas; and sister-in-law Jan Reinsch of Las Vegas. He’s also survived by a host of nieces and nephews and many friends. He shared a special bond with his niece Sandy Valdez. Tanny’s smile, sense of humor, and quick wit will be missed by all who knew him. To quote him, “I’m ready to go—I think I got all the goodie out of this life!” A Funeral Mass for Tanny was held on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Shickley, Nebraska. Father Harlan Waskowiak and Father Mike Morin Con-Celebrated the Mass. Carol Grote was the organist and Hannah Vech was the cantor and they led the congregation in the singing of “I Heard The Voice Of Jesus Say,” “Prayer Of St. Francis,” “Gift Of Finest Wheat,” “Song Of Farewell,” and “America The Beautiful.” Pallbearers included Reg Sissel, Ross Sissel, Carl Monaco, Michael Vech, Bill Reinsch, and Tyler Furniss. Honorary Pallbearers included Ken Wells, Doug Straight, Jim Dorman, Ben Valdez, Doug Rosener, and the Geneva Coffee Group. A Graveside Service with Military Honors was held in the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery following the Funeral Mass. Military Honors were performed by the Shickley American Legion Post 164 and the Nebraska Military Honor Guard. Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in care of the arrangements and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com. Memorials are suggested to the Fairmont Manor Lighted Cross Fund or the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery.

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Francis J. "Tanny" Reinsch

July 5, 1930 - March 3, 2023