Nancy Lee Reinker

Nancy Lee (Germany) Reinker, 91, a longtime resident of Kent, departed this life on May 11, 2026. She was surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Nancy was born on October 7, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Reginald N. and Astrid “Audrey” L. (Mortrud) Germany. She was a lifelong Lutheran with a strong faith, and was a member of Faith Lutheran Church for over 70 years.

Nancy was a southern girl having grown-up in North Carolina, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Her family lived in Memphis in her teenage years, where she graduated from Central High School in 1952 and attended Southwestern (now Rhodes) College. Nancy considered Memphis her hometown. She would naturally slip into her southern drawl when visiting relatives and friends on her yearly family vacations south as an adult.

Nancy married her beloved husband, Leonard at Grace Lutheran Church in Memphis on August 6, 1955. The newlyweds settled in Leonard’s hometown of Kent. Once they started a family, their children became the center of their lives. Nancy actively encouraged her children in their faith, academics, horse 4H, music, scouts, as well as their jobs and careers. She attended many horse shows, club meetings, award ceremonies, musical concerts, plays, and sports events; supporting and cheering on her children. She joyfully repeated it all with her grandchildren.

Nancy was a homemaker and so much more. She worked behind the scenes of the family business, Reinker’s Market, for 30 years. She volunteered at Robinson Memorial Hospital for over 20 years, devoting many hours to the patients in the chemotherapy unit. Nancy was an artist with many creative outlets. Over the years she enjoyed a variety of textile crafts creating gifts for family and friends. Nancy admired traditional folk art and channeled her artistic talent to painting. She owned a small business, “Tole N Country Friends”, dressed in period attire, and traveled to craft shows to sell her painted creations on wood, metal, and clothing. Later, Nancy applied her artistic abilities to design and create costume jewelry. Nancy sold her many creations at shows for over 20 years.

Nancy had a friendly, kind, and caring nature. She could talk to anyone in any situation. She made good friends in her Bridge Clubs, DAR chapter, 4H horse clubs, and other craft show artisans, to name a few. Nancy made lasting friendships with her neighbors and parents of her children’s friends. She enjoyed staying in contact with her friends and her extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins. When she couldn’t be with them in person she loved “catching up” through phone calls, letters, and Facebook. Nancy loved socializing while playing cards and board games with family and friends. She passed this love to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She loved her animals. Over the years Nancy had many treasured pets: dogs, horses, cats, birds, and goats. She enjoyed sharing her many pet memories.

Nancy will be deeply missed by her devoted children, Leonard (Ellie) Reinker Jr., Larry (Lori) Reinker, and Jennifer (Anthony) Zimmerman (formerly Foerst); her loving grandchildren, Leonard “Beau” Reinker III, Kelsey Reinker, Kirsten Reinker, Andrew (Jessica) Foerst, Joshua Foerst, Brian (Gina) Zimmerman, and Jason (Dixie) Zimmerman; and her cherished great-grandchildren, Tyler and Ashton Zimmerman, and Theodore Foerst. Nancy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leonard, her parents, and her brother, Reg Germany, Jr.

Calling hours will be held 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Monday, May 18, 2026 at Faith Lutheran Church of Kent, 931 E, Main St. Kent, OH 44240. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 PM Monday, May 18, 2026, at Faith Lutheran Church of Kent with Rev. David Lathrop officiating. Private Burial will follow at Standing Rock Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran Church of Kent.

Services in care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 West Main Street, Kent, OH 44240.