| Graduation Year | Class of 1970 |
| Date of Birth | Jan 09, 1952 |
| Date of Passing | Jan 06, 2026 |
| About | Carolyn Reinecke, age 73, died on Tuesday, January 6, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus in Rochester, Minnesota. A Celebration of Life will be at 11 a.m., on Saturday, February 21, 2025, at Christ Lutheran Church in Byron, MN. Visitation will be held for 1 hour prior to the start of the service. Carolyn Reinecke passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026, after a long and courageous journey through various health challenges. She was 73 years old. Born on January 9, 1952, in Austin, Minnesota to Bill and Onalee Saholt, Carolyn grew up surrounded by the love and laughter of her three sisters—Barbara, Susie, and Elaine—forming close bonds that lasted a lifetime. Carolyn pursued a career in nursing, a vocation that reflected her deep compassion and care for others. After raising her children, she continued to live out her calling through meaningful work in Christian education at Christ Lutheran Church in Byron, Minnesota, and through many years as an educational assistant at Byron High School. Carolyn found great joy in summers spent “up north” at the family cabin on Star Lake, cheering on high school football and basketball, and watching stock car racing (“Go Jr!”). Music was another lifelong love—singing and playing the piano and guitar. Above all else, she was devoted to her children and grandchildren, delighting in their lives and pouring herself fully into being their biggest supporter and most loving presence. Throughout her life, and especially through seasons of illness and challenge, Carolyn clung to her faith in Jesus Christ. It was her source of peace, strength, and hope, sustaining her and shaping the way she loved and cared for others. Carolyn is survived by her beloved husband, Dale Reinecke; her children, Paul (Karissa) Finley, Matthew Finley, Alicia (Andrew) Johnson, and Beth (Bill) Peterson; her stepchildren, Laura (Mike) Hartert and Michelle (Wade) Johnson; her daughter-in-law, Heather Reinecke; her grandchildren, William, Torin, Hendrix, Denver, Kensley, Preston, Colton, Jessica, Sara, Jack, Kaitlyn, Brody, Hayley, Justin, Max, and Zoey; sisters Barbara (Jim) Ebert, Susan Saholt and Elaine (Rod) French, and numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved as her own. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Onalee Saholt, and by her stepson, Pat Reinecke. Carolyn will be remembered for her quiet strength, generous heart, and unwavering love for her family. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched as a mother, grandmother, educator, musician, and faithful follower of Christ. A memorial service will be held on 11am, February 21st at Christ Lutheran Church in Byron, MN. Condolences may be left at www.Hindtfuneralhomes.com |
| Events | Celebration of life will be Saturday Feb. 21,2026 at Christ Lutheran Church in Bryon Mn. at 11 am. |
