Emily Catherine Reichel

At the age of 88, Emily Catherine Reichel was called to her heavenly home on April 24, 2023.  She was loved by many and will be missed greatly.

Emily was born in 1934 and grew up on a farm near Urbank, Minnesota with her parents, John and Mathilda, and nine siblings.  Her home was rustic with no indoor plumbing, running water or electricity.  Farm chores included milking cows, feeding chickens, gardening and canning.

At the age of 11, Emily lost her mother to cancer.  She loved her mother dearly and this was a hard loss to understand.  But her older sister, Isabel (Issy), not only took over the role of Emily’s caregiver, but also the family’s household duties on the farm.

Emily attended high school in nearby Parkers Prairie.  She was an excellent student and graduated in 1952 with the honor of Class Salutatorian.  Emily was very popular amongst her classmates and was nominated as their Homecoming Queen.  She was extremely active in school with cheerleading, student council, speech, yearbook, band, and the editor of the newspaper.

After high school, Emily attended nursing school in St. Cloud.  Having much empathy and compassion for all people, she was well gifted for this career.  Most of her nursing years were spent at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale.  Emily retired from nursing in 1996 after 37 years in the profession.  Many lifelong friendships developed with her coworkers during this time at NMH.

Emily met and dated Jerry Reichel while attending nursing school.  They married in 1956.  Jerry was a physical education teacher and coach for many years in the Wayzata School District.

Emily and Jerry raised a family of four boys (Dave, Mark, Pat, and Phil) on Oberlin Road in Minnetonka. The family was very active in all sports. They especially had a love for hockey and golf.

Emily enjoyed attending the theater and concerts.  She also took up the sports of tennis and running in her 40’s and excelled in both.  Emily often won running races in her age group.  Her last race was the 2018 Turkey Day-Minneapolis where she was the top finisher at the age of 84.

After 55 years of marriage, Jerry sadly died of cancer in 2011.   Emily would live alone until 2018 when she started sharing an assisted-living apartment with her sister Issy at The Glenn Hopkins, a senior living home.

In all she did, Emily exhibited a selfless and “can-do” attitude that set a wonderful example of how to approach whatever life presents you with, both the good and the not-so-good.

Emily, a devout Catholic, never wavered in her faith, love of God and the church, which she held dear in her hand and heart throughout her life.  “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7.

Emily is survived by her loving family: Dave (Barbara), Mark (Sandy), Patrick and Phil (Nancy). Grandchildren: Ann (Shane), Lindsey (Joel), Robert, Kelly, Charlie, Johnny, Jordan, Jacson, Boden.  Great Grandchild: Nora

Funeral service to be held Thursday, May 4 at Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel, 15800 37th Ave North, Plymouth, MN 55446. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am. Funeral Service at 11:00. Lunch to follow service. Burial at Gethsemane Cemetery in New Hope immediately following lunch.

Memorial donations may be made to The Glenn Hopkins or Struthers Parkinson’s Center – Golden Valley.

The family extends a heartfelt “Thank You” to the staff at The Glenn Hopkins and Dr. Martha Nance of HealthPartners/Park Nicollet, who was with Emily throughout her long Parkinson’s journey.