Leslie Lyle Reitz, age 94, of Spring Park and formerly of Cambridge, Mesa, and St. Cloud, died May 18, 2014. Memorial service 12:00 Noon on Saturday, MAY 31st at Cambridge Lutheran Church with Pastor David Everett officiating. A time for visiting will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred for donation to the Presbyterian Homes Foundation.
Leslie Lyle (Les) Reitz, age 94, passed away due to a lonely heart on May 18, 2014. He was surrounded in love and prayer by family.
Born on October 8, 1919, Les grew up in Morris, MN and graduated from the Minneapolis School of Business in 1943. Upon marriage to the late Helen Buchanan Reitz, they settled in Pasco, WA where Les was employed as an accountant for the Hanford Project. Several years later it became known that this site played a critical role in the creation of the atom bomb. Helen was an RN on site during this time.
Les’ professional life ranged from owning a Ford Dealership in Watertown, MN during the early 1950’s to Sales Manager for Delano Granite Works and later President and General Manager for Granite City Granite Company in St. Cloud, MN. He was employed in the granite industry for over 30 years and was known for his honesty and ethics as well as his sense of humor.
Upon his retirement in 1982, Les and Helen split their time between their lake home on Leech Lake and winter home in Mesa, AZ. They permanently relocated to Mesa in the 1993. Les was a devoted family man, often calling home at noon on a Friday and telling the family to pack a picnic dinner and hook up the boat…”we’re going water skiing!” He loved fishing, traveling, duck and pheasant hunting, a good joke, and ice cream. The last nourishment he experienced in his life was a small spoonful of mint chocolate chip – his favorite! Always wanting to stay on top of the latest technology, Les was an avid computer user and Kindle reader up until a few months ago. Most of all, Les loved his late wife of 70 years, Helen. When Helen departed this earth on January 5, 2014, the game was over as far as Les was concerned.
Les is survived by son Stephen (Madelyn) Reitz of Coronado, CA, daughters Barbara (Bill) Smrekar of Cambridge, MN, Marcia (Kendall) Lacey of Hovland, MN, Nancy (Don) Giacchetti of Chanhassen, MN, and Shelley (Bob) Plucker of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, sister-in-law Kay Buchanan and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Otto and Dora Reitz, wife Helen, and granddaughter Christi.
Our sincere thanks goes to the Presbyterian Homes Lake Minnetonka Shores staff on the 1st and 2nd floors of The Care Center, and the staff of Summerwood in Chanhassen, along with Park Nicollet Hospice. Your care, compassion and devotion to your jobs were so appreciated during Les’ short stay with you. He commented many times how much he appreciated your help and how friendly you were.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred for donation to the Presbyterian Homes Foundation