Henry (Hank) William Reinisch of Garrison, ND passed away peacefully at the age of 95 on February 6, 2014 surrounded by his family.

Hank was born August 27, 1918 to Gustav and Katie (Daffee) Reinisch on the family farm in Gate Township near Makoti. He went to school in a one-room schoolhouse near the farm until 8th grade. In 1939, at the age of 21, Hank was drafted into service during WWII. He was one of 200 soldiers in Company "I" … the "Tough Ombres" … at Utah Beach on D-Day. Hank was one of 11 soldiers from his company of 200 that survived the D-Day battle.

On October 14, 1954, Hank married the love of his life, Ramona Steinwand at St. Paul Lutheran Church where they have been active members ever since. Hank worked for the McLean County Highway Department for 40 years as a blade operator. After retiring, he had a small engine repair shop for about 10 years. He could fix just about anything!

Papa Hank loved his family and their many friends and was always up to a game of cards, visiting or 'having a little lunch.' In earlier years he loved to go fishing with his sons and raise vegetables in his garden. When the weather was good, you could usually find him out in his shop tinkering on something. He was never without a joke, a smile or a laugh. Hank had such a way of making every person in the room feel important and loved. And his grip, even in his nineties, was like iron, and you felt it in your bones when he hugged you, shook your hand, or took your shoulder for balance. That iron was in his resolve, his beliefs, probably right down to the molecules that made him.

He was one of the kindest and most generous men. He had an enormous life, and this is an enormous loss, but he is finally without pain or sickness. He is home.

Hank is survived by Mona, his wife of 59 years, his children Mike (Kim) of Apple Valley, MN, Mark (Shelly) of Rosemount, MN, Dave (Deb) of Fridley, MN and Jayme (Lisa) of Hastings, MN … his grandchildren Meagan (Mike) Reissy, Andy, Joey (Kim), Chelsea, Julia, Elena, Will, Lindsey and Matthew … his sisters Irene Hustad of Spokane, WA and Minnie Rostad of Bismarck, his sister-in-law Katie Reinisch of Lake Norden, SD … and his special friends, Chloe and Peanut.

Hank was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Emelia, Chris, George, Rose, Fred, Robert and Bennie.

A small family gathering will be held at the Thompson Funeral Home in Garrison on Sunday, Feb 9th at 5pm. A memorial service will take place on Monday, Feb 10th at 11am at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garrison, with a committal service on Tuesday, Feb. 11th at 11am at the N.D. Veteran's Cemetery south of Mandan, ND.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Paul Lutheran Church or the Camp of the Cross Ministries.