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Joseph Frederick Reifenrath

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HARTINGTON — Joseph Frederick Reifenrath, 95, Hartington, died peacefully, surrounded by his family Dec. 23, 2019, at the South Lake Village, Lincoln.

Mass of Christian Burial was Dec. 28 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Hartington, with Rev. Owen Korte officiating.

Burial was in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Hartington.

Pallbearers will be Isaac Reifenrath, Andrew Reifenrath, Brandon Griess, Grant Leise, Nathan Asselin, Bobby Reifenrath, and Lucas Reifenrath. Honorary pallbearers are Joseph’s grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

Visitation and a Vigil service were Friday at the church, and continued one hour prior to services Saturday at the church.

The Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington assisted with the arrangements.

Joseph Reifenrath was born Aug. 30, 1924, the youngest of John G. and Julia Helena (Imoehl) Reifenrath’s ten children. He grew up on the family farm in the St. James area, where he attended Sts. Philip and James Catholic Elementary School and graduated from Wynot High School in 1942.

He married Donna Potts April 11, 1950, at Sts. Philip and James Catholic Church, St. James.  They have celebrated over 69 years of marriage and were blessed with nine children. Joe continued to farm until his retirement in January 1994, when he and Donna moved to Hartington.

Joe was a life-long farmer and did custom hay hauling in the area. He was a member of the Sts. Philip and James Catholic Church, where he was a Mass server, choir member, church trustee and parish council member. He was instrumental in forming a bus route for East Catholic Elementary School and he was a volunteer bus driver. Joe was also instrumental in getting kindergarten started in the Catholic School system as well as being a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a charter member of the Cedar County Catholic Schools and Parishes Blue Ribbon Development Committee.

Joe enjoyed baseball. He formed and played on the St. James baseball team and managed and coached the boys’ Junior League. He was a certified umpire of the Cedar County baseball league and bowled on the St. James bowling team.

Joe cherished time with his family and friends. He loved to dance. His feet were always moving on the dance floor with his favorite partner, Donna, or anyone else who could possibly keep up with him. Joe took great pleasure in playing cards with his grandchildren and never missed a good opportunity for a game of Sheephead (Schafkopf) with his friends.

Catholic education and his faith have always been a priority to him. Prayer and passing on the faith were special gifts from his parents that Joe taught his family to honor. Joe sought to reach out and touch others in order to bring them closer to Christ. No one was a stranger to him.

He will be greatly missed by his wife Donna; eight children and spouses, Thomas (Janette) Reifenrath, Eagle; Kathleen (Thomas) Roemer, Leavenworth, Kan.; John Reifenrath, Lincoln; Joe J. (Carol) Reifenrath, LaVista; Mary (Jeff) Leise, Hartington; Nancy (Jeff) Asselin, Lincoln; Donald (Penny) Reifenrath, St. James; Michael (Sarah) Reifenrath, St. James; son-in-law, Ron (Jill) Griess; 27 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; eight sisters and one brother; daughter, Jean Marie Griess; daughter-in-law, Jolene Reifenrath; and infaant grandson, Matthew Reifenrath.

Joe lived simply, loved generously, cared deeply, and prayed daily.

Memorials may be made to the Msgr.Werner Endowment Fund, in lieu of flowers.