Marion (Laustsen) Reitze

Virginia (Ginny) Reitze passed away May 16, 2021, she was 98 years old.  Ginny is survived by one sister, Dorothy J. Hynes; one brother, Paul W. Laustsen (Lee); three children, William P., Carl C., and Jean D. Reitze; and two grandsons, William T. (Katrina), and Eric C.(Mishka) Reitze.  She is preceded in death by her husband, William B. Reitze; her daughter-in-law, Christina L. (Bilbas) Reitze; her parents; and five of her brothers.

Ginny was born November 14, 1922, in Lake Benton, Minnesota, the 4th child, and first daughter, of Danish immigrants.  Her parents were Laurids S.K. Laustsen and Sine M. Laustsen.  When Ginny was 2, the family moved to New Market, New Jersey (now Piscataway) to a small farm.  She attended elementary school in New Market and graduated from Metuchen High School in 1940.

During WWII, Ginny did her patriotic duty.  She was a nurse’s aide, went to USO dances, bought war bonds, and wrote letters to four of her brothers who were all serving in the armed forces.

Yielding to the pressure from her brother Melson, she began to attend events at the local grange where she met her future husband, William (Bill) B. Reitze.  Bill and Ginny were married on December 3, 1949, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church following Bill’s service with the U. S. Army and his college graduation.

On January 26, 1953, their first son, William Paul was born.  Following William, Bill and Ginny welcomed their second son, Carl Christian on September 24, 1954.  Later that year, with two sons in tow, the family moved to Princeton Junction, New Jersey where daughter Jean joined the family on October 13, 1956.

In 1971, Bill was transferred to Denver, Colorado for work.  This was a difficult transition leaving mothers, multiple family members and friends, and with two teenagers in high school.  This transfer ultimately was the best for the family, especially since it was to such a lovely location with many opportunities.

Bill and Ginny joined St. Philip Lutheran Church in February of 1978 after moving to Ken Caryl Ranch where she remained very active until her passing.

On April 22, 1980, her first grandson, William Thomas was born and on April 19, 1983, her second grandson, Eric Christopher was born.

Ginny liked to travel and, along with her husband Bill, visited places all over the world until Bill’s health began to decline due to Alzheimer’s.  They visited Africa, Mexico, China, the Middle East and Europe several times.

After Bill’s passing Ginny spent several years volunteering at a local school reading to kindergarteners while maintaining regular contact with her many brothers and sister, their spouses, her children and spouse, her nieces and nephews, her grandchildren and their spouses, and her many grand nieces and nephews.  She was the hub of information on all the goings on of her entire extended family.

Ginny will be remembered as a kind and loving soul whose selfless acts were a part of her everyday life. She never expected anything and always gave everything.  She was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.  Her strength, compassion, and love of family will forever be imprinted on this world.

Services will be held at St. Philip Lutheran Church on Thursday, May 27, 2021, at 9:00 am, and burial will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery at 11:00 am.  In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Ginny’s name to: St. Philip Lutheran Church, 7531 S. Kendall Boulevard, Littleton, Colorado 80128.

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