Joanne Marie Reitinger was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to George William and Bergliot “Bonnie” Bonneville. At 93 years old, she left this world on Jan. 25, 2025 in Longmont, Colorado, with family members by her side.
Joanne was a woman with many names and titles. She was always “Dear” to her loving husband of 67 years, Charles “Chuck” Reitinger, who preceded her in death in 2021. She was always “Mom” to her four surviving sons: Russ, Kurt, Doug and Bob (a fifth son, Glen, perished of crib death in the early 1960s). She was always “Joanne” to the daughters she acquired and grew close to when those sons married: Annette, Trish and Kathy. She was “Grandma Joanne” to her many grandchildren: Sam (Lindsey), Sarah (Charly), Nathan (Lauren), Drew (Marissa), Jeremy (Molly), Katie (Rich), Kyle (Tay) and Lindsey. And she was “Gigi” to her great-grandchildren: George, Teddy, Naomi, Hurlan and Miriam.
She was also the church secretary of the Community Church in Gunnison throughout most of the 1970s, producing, editing and mimeographing the weekly bulletin with a keen eye for any error. She was the Gunnison County Clerk and Recorder from 1978-2002, the office and elections running like a well-oiled machine under her care. In that role, she was always decisive, efficient and eager to serve the people of Gunnison County.
She had an enduring faith and was a dedicated church-goer. She and her family were members of the Community Church in Gunnison for decades, where Joanne was a stalwart alto in the church choir. Years later, with Chuck, she became a steadfast member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Gunnison.
She was a good neighbor and friend. She was always up for an afternoon of bridge. Throughout the years, she was active in the community. From being a member of P.E.O. to singing in the Gunnison Community Choir to volunteering at the Pioneer Museum, she was involved in Gunnison and its people. While she also often spoke fondly of growing up within her family with her now-deceased brothers — Loyd, Robert, John and their extended families — in Superior and Appleton, Wisconsin, Gunnison had become her adopted home.
Many in town will remark that they remember her mostly because she rode her bike to work in all sorts of western Colorado weather, or maybe they remember her because she cheerfully handled a complicated licensing issue for them at the Gunnison County Motor Vehicle office. And nearly everyone who ever met her will say they remember her smile — a smile that would light up any room.
The family invites the community to an open house to celebrate the life and memory of Joanne, to be held at the family home at 128 Bevington Road in Gunnison on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025 from 2:30-3:30 p.m.
