Blanche Martha Reihner

Blanche Martha Reihner (née Vodvarka) passed away peacefully on Monday, September 8, 2025, at the remarkable age of 100.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Stig Reihner; her sisters Mary Hosler (Stanley), Anne Smith (George), and Helen Kelnhofer (Louis); her brothers James, George, and Frank; and her niece Marcellene Wirsing (Jerry). She is survived by her niece Jeanette Smith Owens (Dudley), Louis Kelnhofer, great-nephew Scott Owens, and great-niece Laura Owens Johnson (Dwight).

Born in Park Falls, Wisconsin, Blanche moved to Chicago in her early twenties to be near her sister Anne and brother-in-law George Smith. After a short period working for the government, she married Stig Reihner, and the two settled in Niles, Illinois. They lived just “a hop, skip, and a jump” from Anne and George’s home in Park Ridge, where the couples shared countless memories together.

After the passing of her husband and the Smiths, Blanche relocated to Milwaukee in 2006, where she was lovingly cared for by her great-niece Laura and Laura’s husband, Dwight.

In 2012, Blanche suffered a stroke that left her left arm paralyzed and partially impaired her left leg. Yet her mind remained sharp, and her spirit never wavered. Over nearly two decades, she built a deep bond with Dwight and Laura. She took her first airplane trip to Washington, D.C. (followed by several more), cheered on the Milwaukee Brewers, “helped” Dwight shovel snow by pointing out when flakes were falling, and delighted in meals out—especially breakfast at Cracker Barrel, where pancakes were her favorite.

Blanche was proud of her Democratic values and especially cherished the memory of casting her vote for Barack Obama. Known for her sense of humor, she was a natural storyteller and joke teller—sometimes with an “R-rated” punchline. She often reminisced about her childhood on the farm and enjoyed sharing her love of plants and animals.

Though she turned down a full scholarship to the University of Wisconsin–Madison to study biology, Blanche never lost her passion for learning. She could identify nearly any plant or animal, and she loved spirited conversations about politics and current events. A devoted fan of Turner Classic Movies, she could recall the year a film was released, its director, and its full cast without fail. She especially enjoyed Westerns and Alfred Hitchcock films, often watching them alongside Laura or Dwight.

She also found joy in the simple, meaningful moments—helping Dwight plant flowers, “shoveling” snow for therapy by transferring it between buckets, or offering Dwight his own “therapy” after work by massaging his legs and feet. In her later years, she would quietly reach for Dwight’s hand as they watched TV together, her eyes fixed on the screen but her touch full of love and connection.

Blanche’s life was defined by intelligence, humor, resilience, and devotion to her family. She leaves behind treasured memories of laughter, love, and perseverance, and she will be remembered always as a remarkable woman who lived fully to 100 years.

A visitation will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by a funeral service from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Krause Funeral Home, 9000 West Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Blanche will be laid to rest at Ridgewood Memorial Park, 9900 North Milwaukee Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois.

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