Allen D. "Duke" Rein

Allen D. “Duke” Rein, 80, of Grand Island, died Friday, April 26, 2019, surrounded by his loving family, at CHI Health Saint Francis in Grand Island. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Grand Island. The Rev. Marty Egging will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be at 2 p.m. in the Evergreen Cemetery in Loup City, with graveside military honors by American Legion Post 48 of Loup City. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church, with a 7 p.m. vigil service. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family. Mr. Rein was born on May 3, 1938, at Loup City, the son of Percy A. and Anna L. (Guzinski) Rein. He grew up in Loup City where he received his education and graduated from Loup City High School, graduating in 1956. In Sept. 1956, he entered the United States Air Force, receiving his basic training at Lackland Air Base in Texas. He was stationed at Wadena, MN radar site and Grand Forks, ND Air Force Base. He was honorably discharged in Sept. 1960. He then worked construction for one year before beginning his career with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in August 1961. He was united in marriage to Mary Jane Mendyk on Dec. 30, 1961 at St. Josaphat's Catholic Church in Loup City. The couple first lived in Grand Island, later living in Ainsworth; Chama, New Mexico and Salida, Colorado before returning to Grand Island in 1972. Duke retired in 1994. After retiring, he traveled to many Civil War battlefields and National Monuments. He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Duke enjoyed wood burning wildlife plaques, painting, Civil War history, Indian artifacts, gardening and had a great love for nature. He and Janie enjoyed crane watching. He is survived by his wife, Janie Rein of Grand Island; children and spouses, Christine and Trevor Rodenbaugh of Grand Island, Theresa Rein and Jane Kuehn of Lincoln and Jim and Christi Rein of Grand Island; four grandchildren, Lindsey and Dennis McAlvey, Shayna Rodenbaugh and fiance, Felipe Ramirez, Jennifer Rodenbaugh and JT Rein, all of Grand Island; and two great granddaughters, Allie McAlvey and Fallon Ramirez, both of Grand Island. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister and brother-in-law, Arlene and Leonard Woitalewicz. Memorials are suggested to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.