"How difficult it is right now. But, know that Sharlene truly left a legacy of laughter. She always had a joke and a smile. Her cheerful disposition could make anyone feel comfortable. I can picture her and mom (Colleen) laughing in heaven now. Sharing stories. Please know that as the haze begins to lessen, we will continue to pray that God wraps his loving arms around you and brings you comfort and peace. "
In loving memory of
Sharlene Marie Reising
February 23, 1939 - May 10, 2012
GARNER - Sharlene M. Reising, 73, of Garner died Thursday, May 10th as a result of a car accident on Highway 18, one mile east of Britt.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M., Monday, May 14th at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner with Fr. Paul Lippstock officiating. Burial will be at St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery in Garner.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 P.M., Sunday at St. Boniface Catholic Church, 660 Bush Ave., in Garner with a Scriptural Wake service at 7:30 P.M. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church. Cataldo Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be directed to Sharlene Reising Memorial Fund.
Shar had the gift of brightening others' lives and loved bright colors. Please honor her by wearing bright clothes to her service.
Sharlene Marie Reising, the daughter of Edward and Elaine (Studer) Downs, was born February 23, 1939 on a farm north of Wesley. She graduated from Wesley High School in 1957 and continued her education at Mankato Business School. Shar then worked at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines as a Blue Cross Blue Shield employee. On June 8, 1959 she was married to James "Jim" Reising at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Wesley. They made their home in Wesley and Sharlene worked at Home Federal Savings and Loan in Algona. She then stayed home to raise their children. In 1964, they moved to Garner. Ten years later she began working for Garner-Hayfield School District as a secretary until her retirement in 2000. Sharlene received a lot of enjoyment watching the children grow and develop as they went through school. After retirement she and Jim enjoyed wintering in Mesa, AZ. She enjoyed family time, music, golfing, gardening, playing bridge, laughing and enjoying life to its fullest. Shar will always be remembered for her laughter, great sense of humor and ability to light up a room. Her great joy was her grandchildren.
She was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church where she was active in many church groups and activities. Shar was the church funeral luncheon coordinator for many years and was past president of the Garner Golf Association.
Shar is survived by her husband, Jim, of Garner; four children, Jeff (Susan) Reising of Willcox, AZ, Jerry (Lynne) Reising of Potosi, WI, Nancy (Rick) Prohaska of Garner and Rhonda (Dennis) Malecek of Hammond, WI; fourteen grandchildren, Leah, Luke and Taylor Reising, Nicholas, Brianna and Christina Reising, Lauren, Taryn and Mitchell Prohaska, Marcus, Madison, Andrew and Sam Malecek; three siblings, Doug (Diane) Downs of Shell Lake, WI, Syl (Art) Baker of Byron, IL and Dan (Janet) Downs of Burlington, WA; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Tributes
"I am sorry to learn of your family sorrow. The death of a loved one is painful. If I may, I'd like to share scripture found in your Bible that may comfort you in some way. Please take a moment to read John 6:40, 44, Ps. 36:9, 37:29."
"Uncle Jim & family: Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you during this difficult time. May you find comfort in your faith and the Lord. I will always remember Aunt Shar as a vibrant woman who truly loved life and loved her family. Mike & Shelly Studer Heinze Family"
"sorry to hear about your mothers passing nancy..........my prayers go out to u & your entire family..........she will be greatly missed"
"I remember coming to Iowa when I was a kid and the special times I had. Sharlene was always a special part of that. I can still remember her laugh and her smile. You are all in my thoughts and prayers."
"Our thoughts and prayers to Sharlene's family and friends. What an amazing legacy she has handed down. May you smile with happiness on a lifetime full of treasured memories. Thanks be to God for sharing her life with so many people."
"Dear Jim and entire Reising and Downs Family, I am so sorry to hear about Sharlene. I have so many great memories of our vacations to the Ozarks and Clear Lake when I was a kid and the fun we all had. There was never a dull moment! I loved listening to Sharlene tell stories and will always remember how her eyes and smile just lit up the room. Know that many are thinking and praying for you as you go through such a difficult time. God Bless, Sherri (Becker) Labayen"
"Sharlene was always the smile I looked forward to at elementary school daily. Our prayers & condolences go out to the entire Reising family."
"I remember October in Willcox AZ with Sharlene-all of us helping out at the U-Pick/Zoo....and Sharlene's great laugh and beautiful smile. Condolences to the entire family!"
"St. Mary's is holding your mom and entire family in prayer. May she rest in God's loving peace."
"I remember that hugh geranium on the porch, lovely lawn, and big smile we got when we stopped by, even though she was hard at work & not looking her best. "
"We were so saddened to hear the news. Although I had not seen her in years, I do remember many wonderful visits with her and the family with mom. She will be greatly missed."
"Having worked with Sharlene for 6 years as elementary principal of the elementary school, it is hard to pick out one memory. All memories of Sharlene are happy ones. She guided me through the maze of names, community activities, and events. Sharlene provided a such joy to the office; I can still hear her happy laugh. We shared memories again just last week in a phone call, and have exchanged Christmas cards through the last 17 years. My condolences to her family and many friends. I will miss calling her to catch up on the news of Garner. She was the happiest person I ever knew."
"We were so saddened to hear the news. My parents introduced us to Jim and Sharlene many years ago and we have since been fortunate enough to have developed our own friendship with the two of them. Sharlene's love for life and her tremendous spirit will not be soon forgotten. She was a wonderful woman and will be missed by many. Our hearts go out to Jim and the family. "
"Nancy, Jim and I are so sorry to hear about Shar. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers."
"Our sympathy to all of you. When you moved to the Garner area, with our last name and yours we had many we received your calls and your mom received ours, plus mail even though Jim was the postmaster and at one time your carrier when you lived on the farm. We were able to visit with your parents out here in Mesa and even have lunch with her and Betty Morse. You will always have special memories of your mother, you are so lucky. We'll be thinking of you and wish we were there. Jim and Darlene Reinig, Mesa, AZ"
"Shar was always upbeat with a wonderful sense of humor. Her inviting spirit always made you feel welcome. I remember on our way home from the Schneider sister's week, we unexpectedly stopped by to see Shar. She opened her home and heart to us and when leaving we all commented, "what an amazing lady". Shar will be dearly missed - we were hoping to get more mileage from "that" kidney!"
"You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Shar was an amazing person, who had a heart of gold and a smile for everyone. I really enjoyed visiting with her over the years. She always had such pride talking about her children and grandchildren. She will be greatly missed but never forgotton."
"I always enjoyed visiting with Shar. She spoke so highly of her family; her children and grandchildren were so precious to her. She was so proud of all of them and one could clearly see the joy her family brought to her life meant the world to her. She was so welcoming to others and treated then all as her own family. We will love and miss you always."
"My deepest sympathy to all of you during this very difficult time. May the wonderful memories that you share as a loving family sustain each of you in the days, weeks, and months ahead. As a former University of Iowa Basketball Manager, it was a joy to see this fun family at our games and events. My blessings to all, but especially to Art, Sylvia, Brent, Sara, and Rob in their tragic loss of such a special sister and wonderful aunt. "
"Our deepest sympathies to the familiy in this most difficult time and in the days ahead. Shar was truely loved and will be missed by so many. She has always known how to put a smile on your face...even back when she was the secretary if you may have been sent to the principals office (and she didn't even make you see the principal!) She will live forever in all our hearts. Be comforted by the many wonderful memories she has left. Take care."
"I will never forget the "girls only" boat rides! I think we all laughed until we cried!-- What a way she had about her that would make you laugh and feel good! She will be missed- Love- Kelly and Jody Korleski - Rachel and Kortney Formanek"
"I have many memories of Sharlene while growing up in Garner and going through the school system...What a great lady! My condolences to Jim and family! "
"Jim and Family, Dick and I wish to extend our deepest sympathies to all of you. In just four short years, Shar has become a great friend - a friend that made us laugh and enjoy life to the fullest. From the get go when meeting her she made us feel like life time friends. She is an inspiration to both of us. Fondly, Dick and Jan Deitering"
"Jerry, Lynne & the Reising Family - Our sincerest sympathies are with you and your family during this very difficult time. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers every minute. May God bless you all. Neil, Tricia & Alex "Lil Billy""
"I am sorry to hear of Sharlene's passing. I was hoping to get reacquainted with Jim & Sharlene, a first cousin, when I heard he has a winter home in Mesa, AZ. My permanent residence is Mesa, AZ. Dwight Johnson, son of Henry & Viola Johnson"
"Sharlene was the best mother and a great boss, I started babysitting for her when I was 11 so about 1965, Jim and Sharlene were the best. I know she will be missed, I learned a lot from her. Love to all of you Mary(Buckley)Michael."