Bonnie L. (Audorff) Reinke
Bonnie L. (Audorff) Reinke, 81, Tacoma, Wash., passed away Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025.
Bonnie was born July 8, 1944, in Cornell, the daughter of Ernest and Vera (Knowlton) Audorff.
She married Allen Reinke, Nov. 17, 1961. They were blessed with six children, who were her proudest achievements.
Bonnie dropped out of school at a young age, but studied hard to earn her GED, at the age of 42 – an accomplishment her kids were extremely proud of.
She was gifted with the love of sewing and crocheting, which resulted in making special gifts for family and friends. Through the years, she used her talent and love of being of service to others, by crocheting and donating baby blankets, hats, gloves and scarfs, to local churches, hospitals and the Tacoma Rescue Mission.
Bonnie had an unbreakable love for all her family and friends, resulting in her close friends quickly becoming family. She enjoyed cooking and baking, especially traditional family meals, holiday baked goods and candies.
She loved reading pretty much any book she could get her hands on, but favored historical books. She loved Alfred Hitchcock movies, but was too scared to watch them by herself.
Bonnie had a love of animals, music and to some, it might be surprising to know, she had quite the love and extensive knowledge of astronomy. It was not unusual for her to wake up the girls in the middle of night, to lay on blankets in the front yard, to watch a meteor shower.
She could easily find the constellations on a clear night, and enjoyed challenging others to try to find them first. Needless to say, her winning streak was impressive.
If you knew Bonnie, you know she had an adventurous side, as well. This included her beloved carnival ride, the tilt-a-whirl. Her kids are confident she could make it spin faster than anyone. You did not get on it with her, if you got dizzy too fast or had a weak stomach. She even continued to enjoy the ride, when medically she wasn’t supposed to!
Her faith and love for God was strong, appreciating all the blessings in her life, especially her greatest joy – her grandchildren. She couldn’t talk about them without a big smile and glint in her eye. She enjoyed travelling to visit her children and grandchildren, with her farthest trips taking her to Hawaii and Japan.
Bonnie will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is survived by three sons – Jeffery (Lori) Reinke, Yelm, Wash., Dean Reinke, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Kenneth (Mayuki) Reinke, Yokohoma, Japan; three daughters – Kim Reinke, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Dawn Reinke, Tacoma, Wash., and Jo-El Weese, Bellevue, Neb.; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; one older brother – Gene (Doris) Kane, Mesa, Ariz., two younger brothers – LeRoy Audorff, Cadott, and Roger (Debbi) Audorff, Schertz, Texas; and numerous loved ones.
She was preceded in death by her parents – Ernest and Vera Audorff; ex-husband – Allen Reinke; sister – Karen Jenneman; and brother – Duaine Kane.
Per Bonnie’s wishes, a private family burial service will take place, at a future date, in Cornell.
Memorials can be sent in Bonnie’s memory to: The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60601. If you’d like to send a card to the family, they can be mailed to: The Reinke Family, P.O. Box 241024, Omaha, NE 68124.
