Gordon John "Gabby" Rheinschmidt

Gordon “Gabby” John Rheinschmidt (94), passed away on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, At St Clare’s Hospital, Weston.

He was born June 15th, 1926 in Mosinee, son of the late Willian and Louis (Zerba) Rheinschmidt. On September 8, 1951 he married Beverly Ann Buchacek at St Paul’s Catholic Church, Mosinee. They were married for 69 years until Beverly’s death in September of 2020.

Gabby graduated from Mosinee High School in 1944 and enlisted in the US Navy. He served in the navy in WWII on the ship USS LCS 24 in the Asiatic Pacific area. He was a Sea Scout Leader for four years in the late 1940’s and a Cub Scout Leader in the 1950’s. He also coached grade school basketball and little league.

He was a Chicago Cub fan when he was a young boy and Gabby Hartnett was his favorite player. His brothers and sisters started calling him Gabby and everyone still calls him Gabby today.

He joined the Mosinee Sportsman Club in 1946 and was a member until his death. He was on the Board of Directors and served as President for four years. He was elected by the Sportsmen of Marathon County and served 13 years on the Wisconsin Conservation Congress. Gabby was a member of the Mosinee Hockey Association and served on the Board of Directors. He was chairman of fund raising for ice making equipment for the Mosinee Recreation Center.

Gabby started league bowling in 1946 and continued bowing until 2012. When Clayton Blonien built Paper City Lanes in 1955 he served as secretary for the Mosinee Classic League for 17 years. He served Mosinee as the representative on the Wausau Bowling Association and was elected into the Wausau Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 2001.

He served as Alderman in the 1st Ward for four terms and on the Mosinee School Board for two terms. He is a member of the Mosinee VFW Post 8723 and served on the firing squad for Military Funerals. He has been a member of the Mosinee Knights of Columbus for over 50 years and has also served on the Mosinee volunteer fire department for four years.

Gabby started working at Mosinee Paper Mill for seven years until he took a job with the Mosinee Post Office as clerk. He transferred in 1969 to a rural carrier and worked there until retirement in 1985.
He enjoyed blue gill fishing with his favorite fly rod, hunting ducks and deer hunting for many years. He watched the Packers and Blackhawks any chance he could.

Survivors include children, Bill (Carol) Mosinee, Wi, Steve (Carol) El Campo, TX, Robert (Alejandra) Elk Grove Village, IL and Jane (Mike) Dennis Big Lake, AK. Grandchildren Keya (Travis) Heil, Kris (Dawn) Rheinschmidt, Kellie (Kevin) Lawler, Tyson (Kindra) Rheinschmidt, Tyann Rheinschmidt and Joe Rheinschmidt along with great grandchildren.

Besides his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Joseph, four brothers and four sisters, Ray, Mae Arndt, Lucille “Toots” Unertl, Helen Mielke, Leander, Irene Martin, Donald and James.

Services will be held at 11am, on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at St Paul’s Catholic Church, Mosinee. The Rev. Don Meuret will officiate. Burial will be in St Paul’s Cemetery, Mosinee. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 15 at Beste Funeral Home, from 4pm to 7pm. Visitation will resume Wednesday, from 10am until the time of service at the church. Online condolences may be made at www.bestefh.com.