Ivan C. Reinke

Ivan C. Reinke of Wenatchee, WA passed away at his home on June 21, 2012. Ivan was born June 7, 1946 in Twin Falls, ID to Sigmund and Henrietta Reinke and graduated from Twin Falls Senior High School in 1964. He attended Idaho State University and in 1966 he left college and the family farm to join the U.S. Navy where he worked as an Avionics Tech on A6 Prowlers with the VA196th Squadron aboard the U.S. Ranger. He received an Honorable Discharge and returned home in 1970 where he excelled in all forms of welding, mechanical, electrical, and fabrication. In 1975, he and his family moved to Moses Lake, WA. Ivan became a Ford Certified Technician and earned himself a reputation for being an excellent mechanic. His specialized in diesel and anything that ran on it. Ivan achieved his dream of owning his own business with the opening of Ivan's Repair Shop in 1986.  Later in life, he discovered and greatly enjoyed the hobby of carving and spent a great deal of time learning and perfecting new skills and techniques and more recently taught himself to pan for gold. It was not uncommon to see him covered in mud, wood shavings, or both. He was a lifetime member of the VFW, and enjoyed spending a great deal of time at Bob's Café giving the wait staff a hard time and honoring  them with his vast collection of bad jokes. Ivan was a man of his word as well as a loving father, brother, and son. With his death, he took with him a large piece of our hearts. Ivan is survived by his four children, his brother, sisters, grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of Ivan's life will be held July 14 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Twin Falls, ID at 11:00 a.m., graveside services at Sunset Memorial Cemetery immediately after, followed by a light lunch at the church.