Bernice Irene Reinke

Funeral services for Bernice Reinke age 93 of Orchard were 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 27, 2011 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Orchard, Ne, with Rev. Marcel Kohlmeyer, Officiating. Music was provided by Bob and Rita Kester. Burial will be in the Clearwater Cemetery. Pallbearers were Alan Melcher, Jason Melcher, Marc Melcher, Paul Fullbright, Noah Fullbright, Jacob Powell, Duane Powel, Peter Melcher, Richie Melcher, Steve Higby, Rodney Higby, Randy Higby. Honorary Pallbearers were Penny McFarland, Sandy Herro, MaryAnn Winterbottom, Julie Pierson, Lisa Solomonson, Amber Holmblad, Shelley McCarthy, Angela Mohr, Rachael Roberts, Jayne Kota, Carmela Miller, Megan Jackson. Visitation was 5-8 p.m. Thursday, May 26, 2011 at Snider Memorial Funeral Home in Clearwater. Mrs. Reinke passed away Monday, May 23, 2011 at Avera St. Anthony's Hospital in O'Neill. Bernice Irene Reinke was born on November 17, 1917 to Jay and Mary (Bleakney) Trease in Orchard, Ne. She grew up in Orchard. Bernice attended rural country school and Orchard High School. She united into marriage to Art Melcher on October 12, 1936 in O'Neill, Ne. They lived in Atkinson for a short while and ran the Crystal Ballroom. They then moved back to the 80 on the Willow area Northeast of Neligh, in 1943 they bought a farm northwest of Neligh. She worked at Keahaven Nursing Home, which is now the Golden Living Center for many years. On December 10, 1977 she was united into marriage to Duane Reinke at Neligh, Ne and the couple made their home on the farm northeast of Clearwater. Duane passed away October, 1984. Bernice enjoyed cooking, gardening, canning, and quilting. Being with family was the most important part of her life. She was a member of the Concordia Lutheran Church for years. She then joined St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Orchard in 1998, when she moved to Orchard from the farm. She is survived by her children, Kenneth (Pat) Melcher of Orchard, Ne., Edward (Linda) Melcher of Braham, Mn., Melvin (Lynette) Melcher of Hot Springs Village, Ar., Arthur (Suzie) Melcher of Eldridge, IA., Lois (Scotti) Fullbright of Westerville, OH., and Emmie Powell of Clearwater, Ne. 24 Grandchildren, 57 Great Grandchildren, and 4 Great Great Grandchildren. Sister, Esther Hauf of Orchard, Ne. Preceded in death by parents and husbands. Brothers: Bernard and Ralph. Son, Lary Melcher. Her last day was spending time calling ALL her children and grandchildren and saying to them "I LOVE YOU".