West Alton – Ellen Carroll (Morin) Reinholz, 90, died May 16, 2011 at the Belknap County Nursing Home in Laconia, NH. Daughter of Alfred and Gladys (Bolger) Morin, she was born in Willimantic, CT September 11, 1920, fifth of eleven children. Raised in Willimantic and graduate of Windham High School, she worked during WWII years at Aetna Fire Insurance, Hartford, CT. Married Robert A. Reinholz, who affectionately called her “Nellie”, on September 8, 1945. They moved to NH in July 1946 and in 1956 moved to West Alton where they continued to raise their four daughters. After retiring they split their time between West Alton and Zephyrhills, FL, where Ellen regularly beat all the “old boys” at shuffleboard. Ellen was an avid walker, involved with the West Alton Fire Dept. Women’s Auxiliary for many years, loved visiting her neighbors, and loved her community. Her greatest joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband, Robert, her daughter, Karla Merfeld, and eight of her siblings. She is survived by two sisters, Mildred Einarsen of Littleton, CO and Julia Riley of Fort Worth, TX, numerous nieces and nephews; her other three daughters: Ellen Gammans, her husband, Peter, and her children. Laura Johnston and Robert Dadura; her son-in-law David Merfeld, his children Michael Merfeld, Kareen Briggs, and Jennifer Merfeld; Audris Clark, her husband, Dean, and her children, David, Adam and Erica DeLucca; and Laura Reinholz, her fiancé, Peter Irish, and her children, Whitney Corcoran and Matthew Molburg; 15 great-grandchildren; Martin, Brian and Kevin Johnston, Christopher and Benjamin Merfeld, Timothy, Christopher, Alexis and Madelyn Briggs, Alex Kelly, Alexander and Noah DeLucca, Faith Clardy, Austin Champagne, and Baby Corcoran due December this year.
There will be no calling hours.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 1:00PM at St. Andre Bessette Parish – St. Joseph Church, 30 Church Street, Laconia, N.H.
Burial will follow in the family lot in New Riverside Cemetery, Alton, N.H.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Karla A. Merfeld Memorial Scholarship at Citizens Bank, 587 Main Street, Laconia, NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.