Esther Marie (Krueger) Reinke

Esther M. Reinke, age 92 of Clintonville, passed away early Thursday morning, September 11, 2025 at ThedaCare Medical Center, Shawano.

Esther was born July 10, 1933, in the Town of Dupont, daughter to the late Gilbert A. & Hulda R. (Buss) Krueger. She went to a local one room schoolhouse and later graduated from Clintonville High School. Esther married Kenneth T. Reinke on December 8, 1951 at St. Martin Lutheran Church, Clintonville. The couple farmed for many years and later on, Esther worked as a server at restaurants, including Triple O Supper Club, and Jerry & Pat’s Cafe. She was employed at the shoe factory in Clintonville for a time, and then worked as a factory worker at Specialized Products, Clintonville, where she retired. In her spare time, she enjoyed working on needlepoint and other crafts, as well as going to craft fairs. Esther was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Clintonville, and any extra money she had, was donated to her church towards supplies and equipment for VBS and Sunday school. She preferred to stay home and spend time with her beloved family, rather than be out and about meeting new people.

Esther is survived by her children: Carla Hansen, Shawano; Chuck (Betty) Reinke, Merrill;
Cathy Blankschien, Clintonville; Calvin (Beth) Reinke, Tigeton
Many grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Esther is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Kenneth T. Reinke; a son, Carl “Butch” Reinke; grandson, Kyle Blankschien; great-grandson, Issac Blankschien; siblings, Donald Krueger, Jim Krueger, & Jane Long; daughter-in-law, Janice Reinke; & son-in-law, Jim Hansen.

A private committal and inurnment will take place at Graceland Cemetery, Clintonville at a later date. 

The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Clintonville, is assisting the Reinke family.

An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.