Paul Dean Reinboldt, age 82 of Prior Lake, passed away on Saturday, April 8, 2017. A visitation will be Wednesday, April 12, 2017 from 4-7PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake. A funeral service will be on Thursday, April 13, 2017 at 11AM with a visitation 1-hour prior at Holy Trinity United Methodist Church, Prior Lake. Paul will be laid to rest next to his wife at Credit River Cemetery. Pall bearers will be Robert Mahre, Bart Flentje, Bruce Bradfield, Edward Berens, Adam Mahre, and Nathan Reinboldt. Pastor Chad Gilbertson will preside.

Paul Dean Reinboldt joined his bride in heaven in the loving presence of his children- trying to take a nap because his kids were walking around blocking his view of his TV.

He was born in Minneapolis, to Florence (Koopman) Reinboldt and Ray Reinboldt on August 16, 1934. His parents divorced shortly afterward, and his mother worked numerous jobs to support Paul and his older brother, John. Paul fiercely loved his older brother, who watched his back and kept him safe during long periods of time left alone at home.

Both John and Paul lived for the summertime, when they were sent to stay with relatives in the country. During those summers, Paul made lifelong friendships with his dear cousins, including Beverley Kukielka and Cedric Raines. His many aunts and uncles in the Kruger, Koopman, Reinboldt and Raines families were second parents to him, and very precious to him.

Paul found his home on the basketball court, much to benefit of scores of players he later coached. He led the Roosevelt Teddies to the city championship in 1953, under the direction of coach Wayne Courtney.

Following graduation, he joined his much beloved Marine Corps, serving in Korea and Japan. He was chosen to play in the Marine Corps basketball league while in Japan. He never stopped being a Marine, and he felt particular pride that his grandson and two great nephews followed him into the Marine Corps.

He met the love of his life working at Continental Machines in Savage. Paul and Helen married on January 24, 1959. Working double shifts, raising children and driving an hour each way to 3M wasn’t enough for him- be began a basketball legacy at St. Michaels School by forming their first basketball team as a volunteer coach in the early 1970s. This was in additional to his work at St. Michael’s as a volunteer phy ed teacher. His work built the foundation of the Minnesota State Boys Basketball championship teams from Prior Lake in the late 70s.

Combining rigorous discipline and absolute confidence in his players, he led by example. There was no single player running his plays- he brought out the best in each player and success on the court followed naturally. He was written up in Star Tribune as one of the ten best basketball coaches in Minnesota in building winning teams and players. In the early 80s, he coached at St. Casimir’s School in St. Paul, performing his team building magic all over again.

In 1992, Paul retired from 3M after 33 years of employment. Helen quickly sent him off to find a part time job, and Paul enjoyed his time working as a security guard at Mystic Lake Casino.

With Paul’s retirement, he became a caregiver to his former coach, Wayne Courtney. After a plea from Wayne’s wife to get keep her husband busy, Paul and Wayne spent many hours together watching their beloved basketball teams together. Helen preferred when they went to games, so she wouldn’t have to listen to the loud verbal jousting and sideline refereeing that accompanied every moment of every game.

His greatest accomplishment is the devoted love of his children. After a long week of work, he would load up with car with kids and head north with Helen. Essential ingredients for camping with Reinboldts were present: rainy weather, mosquitoes, emergency hospital stays with sick kids, biting flies, wet and muddy dogs, leaky tents and abundant use of white gas to light the campfire. Does wet firewood burn? Answer: yes. With enough accelerant, most things will. He was loud, crazy, outspoken and caring.

In another era, Paul would have completed college and worked as a history teacher. He was a voracious reader and student of history, world politics and all things military. He passed his love on to his children.

In later years, he and Helen traveled all around the U.S., taking the long-awaited trips to historical sites they could only dream of while raising 6 expensive kids. With his children, he also enjoyed trips to Ireland, Germany with Helen, and later to Mexico.

After retirement, he traveled out east to visit his beloved Reinboldt nephews and their families, spending many hours with them reminiscing. After losing his brother at age 61, his time with them was even more precious to him. A favorite excursion while staying in Virginia was a trip to the Museum of the Marine Corps, where he basked in the glory of Chesty Puller quotes and all things Semper Fi. Ooh rah!!!!

Left to cherish Paul’s memory are his children, Amy (Bruce) Bradfield, Jeannine (Bart) Flentje, Brad (Diane) Reinboldt, Kris (Bob) Mahre, Kelly Reinboldt, Shannon (David) Busse; grandchildren, Heidi (Luke) Porter, Liesl (Rusty) Feeney, Katrina Busse, Andrew Busse, Becky Krocak, Jenny (Cody) Krocak, Adam (Nancy) Mahre, Erin Mahre, Nathan Reinboldt, Elena Reinboldt, Molly Flentje, Anna Flentje, Laura Flentje, Grace Bradfield, Mary Bradfield, Noah Bradfield; great-grandchildren, Sam, Jude, Talia, and Isolde; sister, Kathie (Mark) Parson.

Paul will be greeted in heaven by his wife, Helen Reinboldt; parents, Florence Miller and Ray Reinboldt; brother, John (Marie) Reinboldt.

The Reinboldt family is proudly cared for by the staff at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation.

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