Mable Carlson Reinertsen 1895 - 1986

REINERTSEN, CARLSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen - volunteer (email)
Date: 5/28/2016 at 16:54:13

Onawa Democrat
3 April 1986

Mable Carlson Reinertsen
(1895 - 1986)

A former Monona County resident and a member of several of the county's pioneering families died recently Mable Carlson Reinertsen, 90, passed away at the Alonzo Mather Home in Evanston, III, on January 27,1986.

Mable Carlson was born March 12, 1895, in Moorhead, her father was Olaf Carlson, a merchant in Moorhead and her mother was Clara Lee Carlson of Moorhead, who later lived in Onawa for many years Mable attended public school m Moorhead, Morningside Academy in Sioux City, and Iowa State Teachers' College in Cedar Falls (now known as the University of Northern Iowa) She taught school in the elementary grades for four years in Holstein and for four additional years in Sioux City.

In 1923 Mable Carlson married Peter Amos Reinertsen, who was always affectionately known as "Reinie' Reinies parents were the Reverend and Mrs. P J Reinertsen of Onawa. The Reverend Reinertsen was pastor of the Trinity Lutheran Church (now rebuilt as Faith Lutheran Church) in Onawa Mable met Reinie as he returned from duty as a commissioned officer in the Army after WW I Reinie is often remembered as cutting a natty figure, mustache and all.

Shortly after their marriage the Reinertsens settled in Chicago in the residential area near the University of Chicago. Reinie worked as a securities salesman for several Chicago investment firms. Two sons were born to Mable and Reinie, Philip James Reinertsen, in 1924, and John Allen Reinertsen in 1928 The family lived in Chicago until 1944.

At that time the Reinertsens moved to Washington, D C where Reinie worked as an economic analyst for the U S Department of State. Both sons completed the college studies during this period, with Philip Reinertsen attending Dartmouth College in Hanover, N H , and the University of Chicago, where he received a PhD in economics, and John Reinertsen receiving a M S degree in hospital administration after attending both Augustana College, Rock Island. Ill. and Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.

Peter Amos Reinertsen died in Washington, D C in 1962 and was buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. A year later Mable moved back to the Chicago area, settling in suburban Evanston. In 1978 she moved to the Alonzo Mather Home in Evanston, a lovely retirement home built and endowed by a wealthy Evanstonian as a memorial to his mother. The Alonzo Mather Home is open to all Evanston women.

During the time Mable lived in Evanston she spent many hours visiting and entertaining her many friends and relatives, enjoying activities at the Chicago Art Institute, attending lectures, concerts, theater and musical events, and working as an active and devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church of Evanston. Her primary interest through the years was in the field of art. She particularly enjoyed painting with water colors, at which she was quite proficient. It has been said by some that the most thoughtful and loving gift she received from Reinie was a lifetime membership at the Chicago Art Institute.

In her last few years Mable was confined to the infirmary at the Alonzo Mather Home with several debilitating illnesses that came with old age. On more than one occasion she rallied from these illnesses, much to the surprise of her doctors, but not to those closest to her. Eventually time took its toll and Mable died peacefully with both sons at her bedside.

A memorial service was held in the chapel of the Alonzo Mather Home, a lovingly decorated room in which there are many stained glass windows depicting women saints. Conducting the service was Dr Harold Blake Walker, retired minister of the First Presbyterian Church of Evanston, and a special friend of the family.

Mable's final resting place is in Arlington National Cemetery, alongside her husband.

Surviving family members include Mable’s son Philip Reinertsen and his wife Martha, of Wilton, Connecticut, their three children, Laura Reinertsen Meagher and her husband, Thomas and their little son, David of Durham, N. C. , Barbara Reinertsen of Bangor, Maine, and James Reinertsen of Milwaukee, Wis. also, Mable’s second son, John Reinertsen and his wife, Joann of Salt Lake City, Utah and their two children, John 0. Reinertsen and his wife, Kayce of Glen Ellyn, Illinois and Carolyn Reinertsen of Chicago.

Mable is also survived by three of our four brothers and sisters. They are Mrs. Jessie C. Olsen, formerly of Onawa, but now a resident of the Pleasant View Nursing Home of Whiting, Mrs. Edna C Gord of Davenport, and Ernal F. Carlson and his wife Gertrude of Billings, Mont. The oldest member of Mables family, Oscar B. Carlson and his wife of Denison, both passed away several years ago. In addition to her brothers, sisters, and grandchildren and one great- grandchild, Mable is also survived by several nieces and nephews, as well as grand nieces and nephews.

To know Mable and her outlook on life was continually cheerful and optimistic, and she was always able to share her positive joy of life with others. She will be greatly missed, but long remembered by Mary Lee Olsen Strang, a niece, Des Moines, Iowa.