Russell Reiner

Russell RussCharles Reiner, age 83, died Wednesday, January 18, 2006 at Woodland Good Samaritan Village, Brainerd. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, January 21, 2006 at 11:30 at St. Francis Catholic Church with Father Seamus Walsh officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 5  7 p.m. at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, with the rosary at 6:30 by the 4th Degree Knight of Columbus; and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at a later date at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls.
Russ was born February 7, 1922 at the family homestead on Lake Marion near Hutchinson. Russ grew up on the farm and graduated from the Hutchinson High School. He traveled to California and worked building airplanes at the start of World War 11. He wanted to become a pilot and on December 7, 1941 he soloed and soon after that he enlisted in the United States Navy. Russ became a fighter pilot flying in the Pacific Ocean against Japan. Upon his return he worked for his Dad at Reiner Trucking, then Reiner Distributing/Hamms Beer both companies were in Hutchinson. On May 14, 1950 he married Betty Forstner and together they ran Reiner Dist. In 1960 they moved to Brainerd and bought Culligan Soft Water and ran it for 20 years. Russ also started Salt Sales and then with his sons they started Blue Lakes Disposal later selling both businesses. Russ enjoyed fishing and hunting always taking Betty to the end of the road. Russ was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus and member of St Francis Catholic Church.

Russ is survived by his daughter, Jayne (Joe) Pregrocki of Libertyville, IL; sons, Leigh (Anita) Reiner of Brainerd and Steve Reiner of Fountain Hills, AZ; five grandchildren, Greg & Paul Pregrocki, Michael, David and Russell Reiner; two sisters, Rosemary Navartil of Minneapolis, Loretta Pishney of Hutchinson. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty; parents Joe & Amy Reiner, and her brother Wyllis.