Marilyn Reinke

Marilyn M. Reinke was called home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 20, 2011, while under Hospice of the Red River Valley care in Elim Care Center, Fargo. Marilyn Marie Knocke was born to Edward and Hilda Knocke on March 2, 1934, at Pawnee Rock, Kansas. After completing high school in Great Bend Kansas, she graduated from St. John’s College in Winfield, Kansas. On June 18, 1955, she was united in marriage to William E. Ludwig at Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend. This union was blessed with three sons and a daughter, Douglas Ludwig, Vienna, Austria; Scott (Carol) Ludwig, Marysville, WA; Brent Ludwig, Kalispell, MT; and Brenda (Gregory) Bradford, Colorado Springs, CO; four grandchildren, Nathaniel and Hannah Ludwig; Shayla and Laynie Bradford. Marilyn taught at Trinity Lutheran School in Pueblo, CO; Redeemer Lutheran School, Denver, CO: and 34 years as kindergarten teacher at Trinity Lutheran School in Kalispell, MT. She also led the music department at the school. She served many years as church organist and after retirement in 1999, she returned and served for eight years as first grade teacher’s aide. She found much joy working with children of all ages, and she and her husband, Bill, managed Trinity’s Lutheran Campground on Flathead Lake every summer for 45 years. They also served many years as tour hosts to Israel, Germany and Alaska. Bill passed away after an extended illness in early 2009. On August 29, 2009, with God’s Divine intervention, she was united in marriage to Gary C. Reinke at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kalispell, Montana. They made their home in Fargo, ND, and were members of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Through her marriage to Gary, she was blessed with an extended family, step-daughter, Dr. Karen Garnaas, husband Don and five children, Kate, Noah, Will, Eden and Isaiah; step-son, Dr. Mark Reinke, wife Kathy and five children, Rhiannon, Robin, Rebecca, Rochelle and Ryan; a deceased step-son, Troy Reinke, wife Susan and daughters, Jessica, Anne and Elizabeth. Together, Gary and Marilyn shared seventeen grandchildren. Her faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ was evident to all and her ready smile and pleasant demeanor made those around her feel comfortable and loved. To God Be The Glory! Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; husband and one sister, Leola Miller of Colorado Springs, CO. She is survived by her husband, Gary C. Reinke; children and grandchildren; five brothers, Norman (Shirley) Knocke, McPherson, KS; Walter (Betty) Knocke, Bella Vista, AZ; Erwin (Fern) Knocke, Arkansas City, KS; Maurice (Liz) Knocke, Champaign, IL; Ron (Patricia) Knocke, Hot Springs Village, AR. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The American Cancer Society or the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Fargo. Memorial Service: Monday, February 28, 2011, at 10:30 AM, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND. Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church.