OBITUARY

REINKEN, Conan Alvin July 28, 1943 - Nov. 11, 2014 Conan Reinken passed away Tuesday, November 11, 2014, He is survived by his two sons, Brian (Amanda) Reinken and Derrick (Stacey) Reinken. Conan has eight grandchildren - Steven (19), Skylar (18), Jaxon (17), Jace (15), and Madeleine (2); and Jordan (17), Ava (9) and Kyle (5). Conan graduated from Montevideo High School in Minnesota in 1961. He went on to receive degrees from The University of New Mexico and Mankato State University in Minnesota. He attended The University of Texas at Austin to earn his Doctorate in Education and later served as principal of Vivian Field Middle School in Farmers Branch, Texas from 1981-1996. Under his leadership, the school received national recognition as a Blue Ribbon School in 1992-1993. His passion was impacting the lives of his students and teachers. His determination and drive for excellence left an imprint on those he touched. Conan was a devoted husband and father. He married his high school sweetheart and enjoyed almost 50 years of marriage before Elizabeth lost her battle with cancer in 2013. He especially loved his eight grandchildren and keeping up with their activities. A memorial service will be held on Monday, November 17th at 2:00pm at Lakeside Christian Fellowship located at 1922 American Drive in Lago Vista. Memorials may be directed to Point Venture Lion's Club - attention Gene Glass, P.O. Box 4724, Lago Vista, TX 78645.

The Dallas Morning News - November 14, 2014
 

Conan Alvin Reinken, 71, died Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014 at Prestonwood Rehabilitation Center in Plano, Texas.

A memorial service was held Monday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. at Lakeside Christian Fellowship located at 1922 American Drive, Lago Vista. His final resting place will be at Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Montevideo at a later date.

He was born in Spencer, Iowa, July 28, 1943, to Alvin and Louise Reinken. He was baptized and confirmed at the Methodist Church in Terril, Iowa. He graduated from Montevideo High School in Minnesota in 1961.

He went on to receive degrees from The University of New Mexico and Mankato State University in Minnesota. He moved his family from Minnesota to Austin, Texas in 1977 and lived in Texas ever since. He attended The University of Texas at Austin to earn his Doctorate in Education and later served as principal of Vivian Field Middle School in Farmers Branch, Texas from 1981-1996. Under his leadership, the school received national recognition as a Blue Ribbon School in 1992-1993. This recognition is bestowed on schools that demonstrate academic excellence or significant improvement where the majority of students are economically disadvantaged. His passion was impacting the lives of his students and teachers. His determination and drive for excellence left an imprint on those he touched. In addition to helping educate students, he improved the Carrollton and Farmers Branch communities by creating The Family Health Care Clinic at Vivian Field to provide health care for uninsured children and their families. To fund the clinic, he tapped into his love for golf and established a charity golf tournament with the help of PGA professionals. Over the past twenty years, this charity has raised over one million dollars in proceeds. He was a devoted husband and father. He married his high school sweetheart and enjoyed almost 50 years of marriage before Elizabeth lost her battle with cancer in 2013. He especially loved his eight grandchildren and keeping up with their activities.

His home was in Lago Vista, Texas, just north of Austin, where he was actively involved in the Lago Vista community - the Lakeside Christian Fellowship Church and the Lions Club. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2011 and finally lost his battle after three years. He fought with dignity and determination while displaying a caring spirit and warmth that will be missed by all.

He is survived by his two sons, Brian (and Amanda) Reinken and Derrick (and Stacey) Reinken. Eight grandchildren - Steven (19), Skylar (18), Jaxon (17), Jace (15), and Madeleine (2); and Jordan (17), Ava (9) and Kyle (5). His mother Louise, and two brothers Mike (Sandy) Reinken and Alan (and Diana) Reinken.

Preceding him in death was his wife Elizabeth.

Memorials may be directed to Point Venture Lion's Club - attention Gene Glass, P.O. Box 4724, Lago Vista, TX 78645.

Montevideo American-News (MN) - November 20, 2014
Austin American-Statesman - November 14, 2014