Ethel B. Reynebeau

Ethel Beatrice “E.B.” Reynebeau Elm Springs, AR – E.B. Reynebeau, age 87, formerly of Little Chute, died March 30, 2018 at the home of her son Dave where she had been living for 2 ½ years and was faithfully and lovingly cared for by Dave and his wife Ellen. She was born on December 12, 1930 in Collingswood, New Jersey, daughter of the late William and Ethel (Furnee) Hegarty. With two Ethels in the home, it was her uncle Jack Boyle who began calling her by the first two initials of her name, E.B., and the nickname stuck.

 After graduating from Collingswood High School in 1949, E.B. took a job with Strawbridge and Clothier department store in downtown Philadelphia. With the money from that job she purchased the family’s first telephone. E.B. also worked at Luckenbach Steamship cutting checks for longshoremen and often ate lunch in Independence Square. She was also employed at Singer Sewing in Haddonfield, New Jersey.

 With best friends, Joan and Olly, E.B. enjoyed weekend trips to the Jersey Shore, New York City, and Montreal. It was Joan’s husband, Wes Powell, who convinced his Air Force buddy Don Reynebeau into writing a letter to a girl Wes knew in New Jersey. The letter was the beginning of E.B. and Don’s courtship. After several years as pen pals, E.B. and Don were married on April 14, 1956 in Collingswood. They had met in person just three times.

 E.B. gave up her life in New Jersey, changed religions, and moved one thousand miles away from home to be with the man she loved and start a family in Little Chute, WI. Together, E.B. and Don raised seven children. They owned and operated Reynebeau Floral and E.B. often helped out with weddings, bookwork, and during busy times at the family business. E.B. and Don enjoyed 49 years of marriage and shared many good times at home and at their cottage on Legend Lake with a close circle of friends and neighbors. E.B.’s parents never owned a car and she did not obtain her drivers license until age 48. She had never been on a plane until her most recent trip from Arkansas.

E.B. was a physically petite, naturally quiet, reserved, and private person, yet she was tougher than nails when it counted having survived and recovered from a stroke and heart attack. She was also one of the most generous and honest people you could ever hope to meet. Surprisingly, she was quite funny and had a great sense of humor. Her family was everything and she made countless small and large sacrifices for her children. She maintained a 62-year relationship with family and friends in New Jersey through letters, phone calls, and occasional visits.

 E.B. is survived by her seven children Steve (Ellen) Reynebeau, Dave (Ellen) Reynebeau, Kathy (Jim Stuyvenberg) Reynebeau, Jeff (Ida Harke) Reynebeau, Paul (Jill) Reynebeau, Linda (Brad) Gilbert, and Jon Reynebeau. Her nineteen Grandchildren Roman (Katlynn) Reynebeau, Mitchell (Allison) Reynebeau, Jack Reynebeau, Samuel Reynebeau, Peter (Beth) Reynebeau, Emily Reynebeau, Joey Reynebeau, Haley Reynebeau, Anna (fiancé Don)  Reynebeau, Zachary Reynebeau, Ben Reynebeau, Kathryn Reynebeau, Eric Reynebeau, Laura Reynebeau, Matthew Reynebeau, Bryce Gilbert, Beau Gilbert, Brooke Schmidt, and Kendall Bowers. Sister-in-laws and brother-in-law Ann Hegarty, Donna Reynebeau, and Karen (Jim) Mulry. She is also survived by her nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and husband Don, E.B. was preceded in death by her farther and month-in-law Jack and Vi Reynebeau, brothers Richard and William (Sandy) Hegarty, sister Eleanor (Harry) Grissim, and brother-in-law Gerald Reynebeau.

Funeral services for E.B. will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 6, 2018 at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, 323 S. Pine St., Little Chute, with Msgr. Jim Vanden Hogen officiating.  Visitation will be held at the church from 2:00 p.m. until the time of services.  Burial will be in St. John Cemetery.  For online condolences please visit:  www.verkuilenfh.com 

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