Location: North Mankato, MN
Hartquist Funeral Home
Genora Reitmeier was was born to John and Bertha (Lee) Keenan on September 13, 1919 in Flandreau, South Dakota. She was raised on the family farm and attended Fletcher School District #28. She graduated from Flandreau High school in 1936. On December 8, 1938, she was united in marriage to Ernest Reitmeier of Pipestone, Minnesota. Following their marriage, they farmed in Troy Township until the spring of 1979 when the couple retired from farming and moved to Pipestone. After the death of her husband, Ernest, in May of 1997, Genora moved to the StoryBrook Apartments and resided there until October of 2000 when she moved to the Oak Terrace Assisted Living facility in North Mankato, Minnesota to be near her daughter. Genora entered the St. Peter Community Health Care Center in St. Peter, Minnesota in March of 2001. A new health care center was constructed in 2007 and renamed The Benedictine Living Community. Genora moved into the new facility in January of 2007 and resided there until the time of her death. She died on Friday, August 10, 2007 at the age of 87 years, 10 months and 27 days.
Genora was a former member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone and a current member of Messiah Lutheran Church in North Mankato. While on the farm, she enjoyed sewing in addition to caring for her home and family. She and Ernie enjoyed many years of square dancing. More recently, Genora was an active participant in the life of the health care center. She loved good conversations, keeping up on current events, and the frequent gatherings of family and friends. She also enjoyed frequent and engaging conversations with her friend and pastor, Jim Ahlquist.
She is lovingly remembered by one son, Larry Reitmeier and his wife Barbara of Annandale, Minnesota; one daughter, Leann "Lee" and her husband Wendell Sande of North Mankato, Minnesota; four grandchildren, Chad Reitmeier and his wife Debbie of Annandale, Minnesota; Nora Sande and friend Jeremy Mikolai of Portland Oregon; Wade Reitmeier and his wife Amaza of Champlin, Minnesota; and Aaron Sande and his wife Megan of Minneapolis, Minnesota; five great-grandchildren, Ethan and Alex Reitmeier, Annandale, Minnesota; Mason and Grady Reitmeier of Champlin, Minnesota; and Maya Sande of Minneapolis, Minnesota; one brother, John J. Keenan of Modesto, California; and one sister, Neva Luze and her husband Martin of Elkton, South Dakota. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, James and Francis Keenan; and five sisters, Alyce Cunningham, Agnes Stuefen, Florence Raymond, Norma Hunter, and twin sister Kenora Trageser.