Juanne Cleone Reichert, 80, of Crookston, Minnesota, died Monday morning, January 11, 2010, at RiverView Hospital in Crookston with members of her family at her side. Juanne was born in rural Portland, North Dakota on February 1, 1929, the daughter of Oscar and Bertha (Anderson) Eide Sr. She grew up on the family farm in the Mayville-Portland area, and was baptized and confirmed at Perry Lutheran Church in Portland. As the oldest of six children, Juanne helped raise her younger sister and brothers, while also lending a hand with the fieldwork, and cooking for the farm crew. She attended Portland High School, and graduated as salutatorian of the Class of 1947. She took part in many 4-H activities while growing up, participated in girls basketball, played clarinet in the band, and sang with the chorus. Following high school Juanne attended Mayville State Teachers College and received a degree in education in 1949. She then taught elementary education in Anetta and Minto, ND for 2 years. On June 25, 1950 Juanne was united in marriage to Garfield Garnet Reichert at Perry Lutheran Church. Together, Juanne and Garfield raised three children-Bruce, Joan, and Brent. Besides Aneta and Minto, their teaching careers took them to McIntosh, Minnesota. In 1955, Juanne, Garfield and family moved to Crookston where he became head of the vocal music department of Crookston Central High School. In addition to her busy roles as wife, mother, and homemaker, Juanne also was employed by the U.S. Department of Labor that researched and compiled pricing information for consumer products available in the area. She additionally participated in the compilation of two U.S. Census Bureau surveys, traveling throughout the area and interviewing local residents.
Juanne was a very devoted and faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She served several terms on Church Council and taught Sunday school for many years. She was also a member of the Altar Guild and Communion Committee, and served on the building renovation and pastoral call committees as well. Juanne also served as President to Trinity’s Women of the ELCA (WELCA) and belonged to the Anna Bible Study Guild. From her early years in the community to recent times she was very involved in civic affairs. She was a volunteer for Welcome Wagon, and taught for several years in the adult education program. Juanne and Garfield were instrumental in helping establish the Crookston Community Theater; and Juanne was a longtime board member and supporter of the Crookston Civic Music League and Crookston Artist Series, and a contributing member of the Crookston High School Pirate Boosters for Athletics and Fine Arts. She had held membership in the Women’s Club of Minnesota for several years and served as a delegate to the annual convention. She was an active member of the Sons of Norway-Morgensol Lodge, the Red Hat Society, and the Mathien Club. She had lifetime memberships in the American Legion Auxiliary, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, and the American Veterans Auxiliary. Near and dear to Juanne’s heart was her involvement in the Golden Link Senior Citizens Center and her dedication as a board member in the “Link” for many years. She was honored as one of Crookston’s Experienced American in July, 2002. Juanne was an excellent cook and baker, and won several cooking awards. Over the years she loved hosting the choirs in her home after their concerts and Christmas caroling. She helped organize many ecumenical and music events within the community. Juanne was an accomplished seamstress, and enjoyed painting, fishing, rosemaling, ceramics, and working in her flower and vegetable gardens. Sadly, while Garfield passed away on October 13, 1992. Juanne continued living in her home on Riverside Avenue until moving to the Villa St. Vincent in 2008. She was a very loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and a dear friend to many. Those who shared in her life will remember Juanne with great love and hearts full of treasured memories.
Family members include son, Bruce G. Reichert, presently stationed with the U.S. Army at Fort Lewis, WA; daughter, Joan K. Reichert, of Helena, MT, and her son, John, a student at the University of Montana Western; and Brent L. Reichert and his wife, Sandra, of Edina, MN, and their sons, Blake, a student at Colorado College and Brian, a high school student. Juanne also leaves a brother, John Eide and his wife, Luretta, of Palm Desert, CA; two sisters-in-law, Jeanette Eide of Hatton, ND and Thelma Eide of Mayville, ND; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives. In addition to her beloved husband, Garfield, of forty-two years, Juanne was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Bertha; sister, Donna Johnstone and her husband, Harry; and brothers, Allen Eide, Alden Eide, and Oscar Eide Jr. Blessed be Juanne’s memory.
The celebration of the life of Juanne Cleone Reichert will be held at 10:30 am, Friday, January 15, 2010, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Crookston, with Rev. Jo Gast, officiating. Visitation will be held at Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home on Thursday from 5-7:00 pm, with a 7:00 pm prayer service. Visitation will also be held at Trinity for one hour prior to the funeral. Interment will take place in the Oakdale Cemetery, Crookston.
Crookston, Minn. —
