Karen K. Reinhart

Karen Kay Reinhart, 84, of Orlando, Florida passed away peacefully on April 4, 2023. She was born in Hinton, Iowa on May 18, 1938. Karen graduated from the University of South Dakota and received a Bachelor of Arts in Education. Always an adventurous soul, Karen’s favorite college memories included two summers in Wildwood, NJ working in a restaurant. During her time in Wildwood, Karen was able to see some of her favorite musical performers, including Sammie Davis Jr. and Ella Fitzgerald. Karen was very close to her sister, Dorothy Newberg, and as young ladies they traveled together to places like Cuba, Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Mexico.

After college, Karen worked for many years as a teacher in Rochester, MN; Aurora, CO; Oakland, CA; and lastly in Bloomington, MN, where she moved to with her first husband, the pair having two children together. In the mid-1970s, Karen started her own bookkeeping company and managed several accounts. In 1992, Karen was married to David Reinhart, “the love of her life.” She was widowed in 2000 and eventually moved to Florida in 2003, upon the arrival of her twin grandchildren.

Karen was very socially active in Florida, she was a member of the Singles Golf Group and Outdoors and Active. In more recent years, she found much happiness with her partner Terry Kuschel, who was loved as a grandfather by Karen’s grandchildren. Until his passing, Karen and Terry traveled the world together, visiting New Orleans, all of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Karen also belonged to a bridge club for many years and ’family poker night’ was a regular favorite. Karen loved spending her summers with family and friends at her cabin on Lake Okoboji, IA. She was very close to and dearly loved her many friends.

Karen was such a wonderful, bright ray of sunshine in the lives of those she touched. A mom, grandmother, and friend who always had a positive attitude; could encourage people even when things seemed bleak; never had a grouchy moment in her life; gave wonderful, sound advice on how to live life to the fullest and enjoy every moment; had the most wonderful laugh; and gave love endlessly with no strings attached. Her generous spirit with her time, love, and kindness was obvious to anyone who met her. Karen loved to tell jokes or a funny story, was usually the first to laugh at others’ jokes or funny stories, and was always willing to join her family and friends in a new adventure.

Karen is survived by her children, Karl J. Preusser (Kate Preusser) and Jodi K. Middleton (Eric Middleton), her grandchildren Mackenzie and Morgan Mustoe (19), and Grace Middleton (18). Karen is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Dora Brown, and her sister Dorothy Newberg (Virgil Newberg).

A Celebration of Life will be on Monday, May 8, 2023 at Baldwin Fairchild Goldenrod Chapel from 5-8 P.M.