Marjorie Reinhard

Marjorie May (Craig) Reinhard, 97, of Marquardt Village, Watertown, passed away May 16, 2018, following a brief illness. Ms. Reinhard was born on October 2, 1920, the daughter of Jennie Emily Anderson Craig, a teacher and William Orsen Craig, an auditor for the railroad, in Austin, MN. She graduated from high school in Austin, began higher education at Mankato Teachers College in Minnesota before transferring and receiving her bachelor's degree in physical education from the LaCrosse Teacher's College (now the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse.) Later she was awarded a master's degree in physical education with a dance concentration from the Teacher's College at Columbia University in New York, NY. She taught physical education and dance in Sparta, WI, Whitefish Bay, WI and Grosse Point, MI. She also spent tine as the waterfront director at a YMCM Camp outside of Oconomowoc, WI. It was during the stint at YMCA Camp that she met her future husband. A friend sent her up on a blind date with a local dentist in 1955, a date which included a game of golf. The winner of that match is lost to history, but in the end, they must have both felt they came out on top. Although she resisted the term "love at first sight," she married Dr. William Reinhard in 1956 and settled in his hometown of Watertown. Ms. Reinhard raised three children, was involved in the arts and various other volunteer pursuits, and enjoyed singing, dancing, bridge, and her long-time social group "30 Over 30." She was very active in her church, the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Watertown, serving on a variety of Committees and singing in the choir. At the time of her passing it was believed that she was the oldest member of the congregation. A lifetime advocate for physical fitness, she was boating and water skiing into her 70s, playing golf into her 80s and continued swimming and walking into her mid-90s. She also enjoyed watching sports, the performing arts, spending countless hours supporting her children and grandchildren at a variety of events. Following the passing of her husband in 1979, she had the opportunity to make the arts a second career, joining Columbia Artists, Inc. on a part-time basis. This involved promoting and coordinating community concerts in southern Wisconsin, northern Iowa and northern Illinois. The job allowed her to return to New York City for a week of performances each year, a perk she savored. While she and her husband traveled to Europe twice during their marriage, she really re-caught the travel bug later in life, visiting Asia, Africa, even Cuba with her niece as part of a humanitarian mission prior to the travel ban to that country being lifted. Ms. Reinhard sold the family house in her 70s and moved to Marquardt Village for the final 25 years of her life, most of that time living independently in duplex. She was driving and traveling until she was 95 years of age, visiting her loving family members and many friends. Survivors include her three children Ann (Pete) Herb of Middleton; James (Tina) Reinhard of Green Bay; and William (Mary) Reinhard of Ellicot City, MD; five grandchildren: Jamie Herb and Emmet Herb of Middleton, Aaron Reinhard of Green Bay; and Evan Reinhard and Trevor Reinhard of Los Angeles, CA; three great grandchildren, Jordan, Breanna, and Madison; and a nephew, Craig (Paula Paskov) Scherfenberg of Sacramento, CA. Marjorie was preceded in death by her husband, her sister, Wilma Scherfenberg, three half-sisters; Pearl Craig, Ruth Gates and Irene Raymond, two grandsons; Conner Herb and Jason Reinhard; a niece, Carol (Bonnie Dostie) Scherfenberg, and a nephew, David (Carl) Scherfenberg. A memorial service/celebration of life for Marjorie will be scheduled in the coming weeks. Schmutzler-Vick Funeral Home is serving the family. Gifts may be made in her name to the First United Church of Christ, 102 Kuckkan Lane, Watertown, WI, 54094; Marquardt Foundation, 1045 Hill Street, Watertown, WI, 53098 and the Watertown Public Library, 100 South Water Street, Watertown, WI, 53094. On-line condolences may be sent at www.watertownfuneralhome.com. The family would like to thank the warm and generous staff at Marquardt as well as Dr. Kevin O'Halloran and Dr. Salim Shammo who paid special attention to her health as she aged.