Early on the morning of July 21, 2009, Della Reinmuth joined the educational community of God's Holy Kingdom, where she is fulfilling her duties as "head librarian", a position for all eternity.
Della Anne (Happel) Reinmuth was born on March 17, 1916, at LaJunta, Colorado, to Walter H. and Martha (Thimgan) Happel. At the age of 2 years her family moved to Sidney, Nebraska, where Della graduated from high school in 1933.
Always interested in furthering and promoting education, Della completed a 6-week Normal Training Course after graduating and began her teaching career. She taught in the rural schools in Cheyenne County, Nebraska, and on August 16, 1936, she was united in marriage to Ernest "Bud" Reinmuth. To this union one daughter, Ardis, was born. Della continued her teaching career in rural schools and in the Gurley, Nebraska, school system and in 1956 obtained an Associate Degree in Education from Scottsbluff College and then in 1962 graduated Chadron State Teachers College with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree specializing in Library Science. She continued her education in the field of Library Science through correspondence from Denver University.
In 1964 she and Bud moved to Alliance, Nebraska, where Della served as librarian for all the Alliance Public Schools.
After her retirement in the early 1980's, Della became very involved in volunteer work. She mentored/tutored students, was very active in the Senior Citizens Center and the Golden Age Club. She greatly enjoyed her involvement with leading the "Swinging Seniors" in their musical performances and providing the music for the church services at Highland Park. She took numerous trips with friends, the most memorable one to Europe where she visited Germany, Switzerland and Holland.
A strong faith and the love of the Lord were very important in her life. She was a long time member of the United Methodist Church in Alliance, and was very involved with the United Methodist Women; she volunteered her services to her church in any capacity needed.
Her hobbies included knitting dish cloths (which she donated hundreds to the church bazaars), embroidery, caring for her lawn and playing pinochle. She was an avid "Nebraska Cornhusker" fan!
Della moved to Spearfish in June, 2009, and made her home with her daughter until her death in July.
Grateful for having shared in her life are her daughter and son-in-law, Ardis & Bob Golay, her granddaughters, Kim Croft and Kelly (Bill) Deis, her great-grandchildren, Erin, Landon, Loagon and Layton Croft and Garrett and Ryan Crotty, and a special niece. Sally (Larry) Hansen along with a host of nieces and nephews and friends. She is also survived by a sister, Fern Smith.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and one sister, her loving husband "Bud" in 1989 and a beloved grandson-in-law, Charlie Croft, in 2003. Della will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew and loved her!
A "Celebration of Life" will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2009, at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Alliance, NE. Memorials have been established for the United Methodist Church and the Golden Age Club of Alliance.