Elizabeth Reinartz

Elizabeth Ann Reinartz (Liz), 90, died on February 6, 2020, at Agrace Hospice care.  She grew up in Austin, Minnesota, in a family that included cousin’s, grandparents, railroad-widowed aunts, and her German-born great-grandfather as well as her mother and stepfather, Geraldine and Garth Hadley.  All of them plus the nuns, priests, classmates, and colleagues she encountered through life became vividly familiar to anyone who heard Liz tell her wonderful stories.  Generations of her family worked at Austin's Hormel plant as did Liz to earn funds for college.

Inspired by The Franciscan Sisters at The College of Saint Theresa, the Dominican priests, who taught theology there, and the local bishop's plea to “give back a year to Catholic education", Liz taught English at the Fransicans' Saint Mary's Academy in Milwaukee and joined the Thomist Society of theological study.  After far more than one year, she left to earn her Master’s Degree in English at UW- Madison.  This was followed by  many years of teaching – first at Central High until it closed, then to West High School.  There she met colleague, Paul Buckalew, who became her best friend, neighbor and care giver.

Also, while at West, she followed her grandmother's example of unionism at Hormel by becoming active MTI (Madison Teacher's Inc ).  She was once asked if she ever met anyone famous and she promptly replied “Reggie Regent" aka as Mike Koval.

At the Dominican Blessed Sacrament parish, Liz participated in every possible organization (except the choir) and served as elector, adviser to deacon interns, and on Brother Edward van Merrienboer's team of CCD 1.  “Auntie Liz" also entertained the kids by reading stories to them while their parents shopped at the annual Christmas Market.

In retirement Liz volunteered for MAREA (Madison Area Retired Educators Assn.), The Odyssey Project, and enjoyed international travel with The Friendship Force and The Red Hatter’s.

Liz is survived by the cousin’s she grew up with plus many friends and colleagues.  Deepest gratitude to Brother Edward, John McDermott, Georgia and Paula Benkart,  Maile Paalani, Agrace Hospice and especially Paul for their faithful care and friendship.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2121 Rowley Ave., Madison on Saturday, February 15, 2020.  A viewing will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. followed by the mass at 11:30.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Blessed Sacrament Parish at 2118 Hollister Ave., Madison, WI 53726 or to a charity of your choice.