Obituaries

Barbara F. Reinert

Died Jan. 2, 2016

NORTHPORT – Northport resident Barbara Smiley Funk Reinert-- wife, mother, grandmother, beloved aunt, cousin, friend, world traveler, political activist, defender of women's rights, bridge player extraordinaire -- has left us, and we are poorer for her absence.  Born on July 24th, 1923, she was 92 at the time of her death on January 2nd, 2016. 

  Faced with serious medical obstacles to her continued quality of life, Barbara chose to end her life peacefully in Munson Hospital with Hospice care.  During her final days she was surrounded by family and friends.

  Barbara leaves behind her husband of 70 years, Raymond Edward (Ed) Reinert of Northport, three loving children--Diane Isis Reinert of San Luis Obispo, CA, David Edward Reinert of Corvallis, OR and Sara Lee Reinert and grandson Samuel Thomas Reinert of Homer, AK, sister-in-law Marjorie Reinert Bohl, Columbus, OH, in addition to her loving nieces and nephews and all their far-flung kith and kin, and many, many friends and well-wishers.

  Known for her wit, charm, sharp mind and eloquence, Barbara was an active supporter of many causes over the arc of her multifaceted life.  At her death she was an active member of the League of Women Voters, first joining that organization in 1951 when she lived in Topeka, Kansas.  She later held the office of President of the St. Cloud, Minnesota Chapter.  She was a supporter/member of the Leelanau Conservancy, the Kachemak Bay Heritage Land Trust, the Friends of the Northport Library, the Women's Club of Northport, the Northport Energy Committee, and the Saint Barbara Society.

  Born in Columbus, Ohio, she graduated from Ohio State University, and it was there that she met her future husband, Ed, who was attending Ohio State Medical School.   They married on January 18, 1946.  Barbara moved to Topeka with Ed in 1950 while he completed his psychiatric training at the Menninger Foundation, then started his psychiatric career with the Veteran's Administration there.  During the 20 years they lived in Topeka, in addition to her involvement with the League of Women Voters, Barbara was a lobbyist for both Planned Parenthood and the Police Union, was an active member of the Mulvane Art Center Board of Washburn University, and developed her own artistic talents--all while raising her three children.

  When Ed was appointed Director of the VA Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota in 1970, Barbara began a new chapter in her life, adding gardening, canoeing and skiing to her repertoire of interests, and acquiring another degree in higher education, this one in city planning.

  Barbara's connections to the Northport area were deep and long-lived.  As a teenager in the 1930's she taught swimming lessons at the Northport Point Recreation Center, working alongside her brother Lee William Funk Jr. Her sister, Marilla Sweet, and family, spent summers in Northport starting in1935, and Barbara, Ed, their children, cousins, nephews, nieces, all spent many summers in the waters of Traverse Bay as they were growing up.  When it was time for Ed to retire, he and Barbara chose Northport as their residence.

  Her travels around the globe were as varied as her life interests.  One trip took Barbara and Ed behind the Iron Curtain to then Czechoslovakia to hunt mushrooms, another found them in Chile on a wine-tasting tour.  Barbara was among the first Americans to be allowed into Cuba on an education visa over 20 years ago.  Beer festivals in Europe, drinking sherry in Spain, theater in London, walking the Burren in Ireland, scuba diving in Grand Cayman, and exploring the fjords of Norway are a few other experiences of note.

  

  An additional gift of Barbara was an eloquent, empathetic and meaningful way with words.  She was able to provide solace, comfort and advice to those who needed or wanted it--those who have been the recipients of her solicitude and care have always remembered her careful and deep touch. She was the essence of kindness and care.

  There will be no funeral service, and the Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will take place in the summer.  The time and place will be announced when those plans have been made.

  For those so inclined, Barbara wishes any donations to be made to any of the following organizations; The League of Women Voters of Leelanau County, The Leelanau Conservancy, the ACLU, Hospice, Planned Parenthood, the Trinity Church in Northport.

  Condolences may be shared with Barbara’s family on the Martinson Funeral Home Facebook page or below: