Janet H. Reinertson, age 81, a Manitowoc resident, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Monday, September 15, 2025 at Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation.
She was born November 26, 1943 in Rewey, Wisconsin, daughter of the late Donald and Neldean (Hitchcock) Johns. Janet attended Valders High School, graduating with the class of 1961. On February 18, 1961 she married James W. Reinertson in Dubuque, Iowa. Janet was employed with Lakefield Telephone Company as an operator and also worked as a Tupperware salesperson. She then provided in-home daycare services for many years until her retirement. It was in doing this that she made many lasting relationships with the children she cared for as well as their families. She was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church, Valders, where she served as church president and was active in many other church groups. Janet was also a member of the Homemakers club and was a former 4-H leader. She also enjoyed bowling and traveling, especially going on cruises with her sisters. She enjoyed crossword puzzles and was an avid reader. Janet loved to watch Johnny Carson every night before bed and liked to go on car rides. She was also an avid Packer and Brewer fan. Above all, Janet enjoyed the many relationships she had made over the years. She always kept in touch with the friends and acquaintances and loved to spend time with family and friends.
Janet is survived by her husband of 64 and a half years: James W. Reinertson; her four daughters: Jill (Paul) Franz, Jodi (Rick) Oswald, June (Kurt) Kliment, Janel (Craig) Mielke; grandchildren: April (Mark) Gass, Lindsay (Jason) Bergel, Jessica (Aaron) Evans, Nic (Holly) Franz, Craig (Erica) Franz, Becka Oswald, Meghan (Adam) Geffers, AJ (Alexandra) Oswald, Jennifer (Gabe) Burkhalter, Stephanie (Preston) Witt, Alyssa Kliment (Fiancé Jaydon Butzman), Jordan Mielke, and Jacob Mielke (special friend Brooke Senglaub); 20 great-grandchildren with two more on the way; her sister and brother-in-law: Becky (Jerry) Cherney; brother-in-law: Arnie Steinbach; sister-in-law: Judy Johns; and two sisters-in-law: Julie (Jim) Glaeser and Karen Childs. Nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Donald and Neldean Johns; her sister: Bev Steinbach; her brother: Donnie Johns; brother-in-law: Del Childs; her beloved niece: Robin Cherney; and her father-in-law and mother-in-law: Walter and Marion Reinertson.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025 at Faith Lutheran Church, 255 W. Roosevelt Street, Valders. Officiating at the service will be the Rev. Dan Lyman. Janet will be laid to rest at Gjerpen Cemetery, Town of Cato, following the service.
The family will greet relatives and friends from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025 at Faith Lutheran Church, Valders.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family for donation of their choice.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home, Manitowoc, is assisting the Reinertson family with funeral arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Chad and the staff of Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation as well as the staff of Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for the loving care and compassion they have shown Janet and her family.
