Melvin "Pete" Reinders

Melvin "Pete" Reinders went home to the Lord Saturday, March 28, 2015. He was born in Forreston, Illinois March 19, 1919 to Henry and Grace (Janssen) Reinders. Melvin and Ruth Olson married October 7, 1950 in Chicago, Illinois. They farmed in Lanark for 10 years. Melvin then worked at Kelly Springfield until his retirement in 1988. After retirement Pete and Ruth made their home on Blue Lake in Minocqua, Wisconsin. They returned to live in Freeport in 2001. Pete is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ruth; 3 children, Sandra (John) Gagliardi of Freeport; Debra Kortemeier of Minneapolis, MN; and Thomas (Christine) Reinders of Freeport. In addition he is survived by 6 grandchildren, Brian (Tiffany) Gagliardi, Sarah Gagliardi, Megan Kortemeier, Jackie (Tim) Brovold, Matthew Kortemeier, and Christopher (Heather) Reinders. He was blessed with 7 great-grandchildren. Pete is preceded in death by his parents, brother Wilbur and sister, Dorothy Linker. Pete enjoyed his years of farming and was one of the first to experiment with no till farming. He loved to dance, especially at the WLS barn dances in Chicago. Pete had a heart for service and volunteered many hours at the Lanark Methodist Church as well as the Freeport Memorial Hospital. He had a passion for fishing and found great delight in being with his grandchildren. Private family services will be held at a later date.