MIDDLETON - Reinhold (Otto) “Reiny” Meihsner passed away at the age of 90 on March 17, 2025. Reinhold was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Reinhold and Johanna Meihsner in 1934.
He graduated from Concordia High School in 1953 in Milwaukee and attended Stout State University in Menomonie, Wisconsin graduating in 1957. While attending Stout, Reiny met Rita Jackson when they were matched up as sophomores to be campus tour guides for the incoming freshman class. Thus began their life of over 59 years together. Reiny and Rita were married after graduation from Stout on August 28, 1957.
Following graduation, Reiny served six years in the Army Reserves with an honorable discharge in 1963 from his last assignment at the 44th General Hospital Unit at University Hospital in Madison.
Reiny had a 32 year career in the Madison Public Schools, first as a teacher at Cherokee Middle School, Van Hise Junior High School and West High School, and ending his career as District vocational program coordinator in 1990. During his teaching career, he was also active in the Madison School Forest education program, including construction and caretaker of the School Forest Campground. After retiring from education, he was employed another 13 years as a courier for General Medical Laboratory, retiring at age 72.
Reiny enjoyed his Lionel train collecting hobby and the numerous house remodeling and gardening projects that he and Rita tackled over the years. He also accompanied Rita on many trips around the country as travel tour guides. Reiny and Rita’s most enjoyable activity together was raising their family on their 24 acre farmette in Montrose Township and the restoration and remodeling of their log farm house. Reiny also enjoyed family time spent at Island View Lodge at Mercer, Wisconsin and summers at the Little Silver Lake Campground, Wild Rose. They loved being the devoted Opa and Oma for their grandkids and great-granddaughter.
Reiny is survived by his brother Reinhard (Janice) Meihsner; his children Larry (Joan) Meihsner, Doug (Claudia) Craemer-Meihsner, and Amy Sanders; and was the beloved Opa of his grandchildren Nicole (Randy) Koplin, Justine (David) Carollo, Zac (Ashlee Barwick) Sanders, Samantha Sanders, Mathias Craemer-Meihsner and Greta Craemer-Meihsner; and great-granddaughter, Zoe Koplin.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Richard (Bette) Meihsner, and Rita, his beloved wife of 59 years.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the care team at UW Home Based Primary Care, the wonderful and caring staff at Legacy Court Memory Care at Cardinal View Senior Living in Middleton and Agrace Hospice Care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to RSVP of Dane County.
A gathering of friends and family will take place from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., Friday April 4, 2025 at the Cress Center, 6021 University Ave., Madison, WI 53705, with a memorial service at 3:30 p.m. There will be a private interment at Paoli Cemetery in Paoli, Wisconsin at a later date.
Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com
Cress Center
6021 University Ave. Madison
(608) 238-8406
Make a donation to one of the following charities in remembrance of Reinhold “Reiny” Meihsner
