Obituary of Elizabeth Marie Reiniche

Elizabeth “Betty” Marie Reiniche (née Kwiatkowski), 87, passed away peacefully from this life on Saturday, August 24, 2024.

Betty was the beloved wife of the late Thomas LaVerne “Verne” Reiniche, who passed away in 2023. They were united in marriage for sixty-three years. Betty was the loving mother of three daughters, Anne (John) Siedlinski, Lori (Chris) Madsen, and Mary Beth Reiniche. Betty affectionately doted on her one and only grandchild, Malia Rose. She was the daughter of Leo and Margaret Kwiatkowski, and was preceed in death by her sister, Eleanor (Walter) Schimpf, and brothers, Teddy (Rita) and Jimmy (Lucille) Kwiatkowski. She is survived by several nieces and nephews (who affectionately call her “Aunt Bobbie”), cousins, and a few furry grand puppies and kitties.

A life-long resident of Blue Island, Betty was born in May, 1937. She attended St. Isidore School and graduated BI Community High School in the mid 1950s. She worked as a secretary for Standard Oil, met the love of her life, and married him in 1959. Betty delighted in being a stay-at-home mom. She created many fond childhood memories for her daughters and others as she was their Bluebirds/Camp Fire Girls leader and directed many fun arts and crafts activities, songs and games and summer camp shenanigans. Betty had a penchant for Engelbert Humperdink and thoroughly enjoyed listening to his music. She loved playing cards, dice, Scrabble and bingo games, and she won the majority of the time! A loyal Catholic, Betty was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and enjoyed praying the rosary, especially with Father Rocky on Relevant Radio. Ice cream, Sudoku and Wheel of Fortune were some of her favorite things. Betty was the sunshine in her family’s lives and worked tirelessly and selflessly for them and many others. Her bright blue eyes and beautiful smile surely will be missed by all who loved her.

Services will be held on Thursday, August 29th. Visitation will begin at 8:30 a.m. until the time of chapel prayers at 10:15 am at Krueger Funeral Home, 13050 S. Greenwood Avenue in Blue Island, followed by Mass at St. Donatus Church, 1939 Union Street, Blue Island at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Benedict Cemetery, 4600 W. 135th Street in Crestwood.