Anita Elizabeth Reinebach

Anita Elizabeth Reinebach, 78, passed away on September 16, 2026. She grew up in the Midwest then became a lifelong resident of California. She was born on May 11, 1948, in Bemidji, Minnesota to missionary parents. From there, her family moved to Omaha, Nebraska where her father became a Bible College teacher and her mother a registered nurse.

By the age of eight she asked her father to buy her the teacher's edition of the Third Grade Reader, which led to her determination to become an educator. Since the third grade she had a driving desire to teach children how to read. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education with credits from both Faith Baptist Bible College and Iowa State University in 1971. Later she continued her studies with a master’s degree in Reading Instruction at California State Hayward (East Bay), along with a special education credential through University of California Riverside. After she completed her education, Anita devoted twenty-six years of her life to teaching K-8 and special education, interspersed with years of being a mother at home.

Her leadership and dedication were evident early on as President of her high school Future Teachers of America Club. In her youth, she also spent five years as a lifeguard at Clear Lake Christian Camp in Iowa.

Music was one of the enduring threads of Anita’s life. She was a pianist in her high school orchestra and played clarinet in the Omaha Benson High School Marching Hundred that performed in the Inauguration Parade for President Lyndon Johnson in 1964. She also sang alto in two college choirs.

On June 8, 1973, Anita married Jim Reinebach, and became a devoted pastor's wife. She taught at the children's Sunday School and Bible Clubs using Child Evangelism Fellowship and other teaching materials from Awana Clubs.

Anita’s adventurous spirit found expression in her love of travel. Anita and her husband Jim, honeymooned in Yosemite National Park, California, and two years later in Israel. In her retirement years, Anita and Jim visited China, Thailand, Mexico, and traveled with her daughter to the British Isles.

She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She is survived by her four children: Robert, Richmond, Roxanne, and Ray Reinebach; and by her three grandsons: Rylan, Caden, and Jackson Reinebach.

Above all, Anita was a devoted follower of Christ. Faithful and compassionate, she encouraged people to follow their dreams and empowered those to do so. Her life reflected a rare blend of conviction and gentleness—an example that will continue to speak through the many lives she touched.

Visitation will be held at Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902, US, on October 4, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. The Funeral Service will follow at the same location on October 4, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. A Committal Service will be held afterward at Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary on October 4, 2026, from 2:30 pm to 3:15 pm.