Deanna L. Reinhardt

Deanna “Dee” L. Reinhardt, 72, passed away from a high grade brain tumor on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at The Monarch in Lincoln, NE.

A celebration of Dee’s life will be held at 10:30 AM Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at the Cairo United Methodist Church.  The Pastor Kalaba Kapundu will officiate. Dee will receive a final call from Cairo Quick Response Team at 1:15.  Inurnment will be at 2:00 PM at the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Dannebrog.  As per her wishes, cremation has taken place.

The family will greet friends on Tuesday, December 26th from 5 to 7 PM at the Cairo United Methodist Church. Casual dress is requested.

Apfel Funeral Home is serving the family.

Dee was born March 21, 1951 to Wayne (Joe) and Velma Stewart in St. Paul, NE.

Dee attended grade school in Dannebrog and graduated from Centura High School in 1969. Dee married Jerry Reinhardt in 1971 and lived in Grand Island, Phillips, and Cairo. Dee worked as a hairdresser for several years in Grand Island.  In 1978, the family moved to Cairo to farm ground where Jerry’s parents had farmed for many years.  In 1983 Dee was a founding member of the Cairo Quick Response Team and became the Secretary-Treasurer in 1985 until her death. Dee became a member of the Nebraska Emergency Medical Services Association in 1988 where she was a track leader for annual conferences until 2018. In 1996 she moved from the farm to Cairo where she resided until being admitted to the hospital in October. After moving into Cairo, she began working at Younkers in Grand Island and worked as a manager until the store closed in 2017.  After retirement, she kept busy with volunteering at the Gathering Place in Cairo preparing and delivering meals. She started bowling in the mid-80’s and bowled in numerous leagues over the years. She always looked forward to the annual girls trip to the women’s National Bowling Championship. She was the secretary-treasurer for the Twilight League for over 20-years. She spent a lot of time golfing various courses across Nebraska with her significant other, Randy.Her grandkids were the light of her life and spent as much time as she could with them either bowling, mini-golf, golf or watching them play sports. 

Survivors include a daughter, Cindie (Brad) Jisa of Lincoln; son Todd of Lincoln; grandchildren, Austin Jisa of Omaha, and Tyler and Reese Reinhardt of Hastings; mother, Velma Stewart of St. Paul;, brothers, Randy (Louise) of Silver Creek; Lonnie (Aldene) of St. Paul; Rod of Grand Island, Tom Metcalf (Bob) of Ecuador; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Wayne (Joe); brother, Eudel; infant sister, Beverly; significant other, Randy Stover. 

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.apfelfuneralhome.com

Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date to agencies that were close to Dee’s heart.