Nora Louise Hasbrook Reiter
Mrs. Nora Louise Hasbrook Reiter, longtime Alma, WI, resident, passed away on January 4th in the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Robert Hunter, in Seattle, WA.
Nora Louise Hasbrook was born on January 5th, 1918, in Cartwright, McKenzie County, North Dakota. She was the beloved daughter of Charles W. Hasbrook, mail carrier and farmer and Lillian Julia Thames Keilholtz Hasbrook, a homesteading teacher.
In 1920, Charles Hasbrook died, and the family, including siblings Charles and Lillian Keilholtz, returned to Mondovi, WI, to live with relatives. Nora’s uncle, Carl Claflin, a veterinarian, and her aunt, Olive Claflin, a homemaker, provided Nora, Charles and Lillian with a secure and loving home, enabling their mother to earn a living as a teacher.
It was Uncle Carl and Aunt Ollie who instilled in Nora a lifelong love of animals (especially ponies and pigs), and a reverence for the land which sustains us all.
Mrs. Hasbrook continued to teach in Buffalo County. When Mrs. Hasbrook was hired as county supervising teacher, the family moved to Alma, where Nora completed high school in 1935. She then matriculated to the Buffalo County Normal school. After receiving her teaching certification, she taught for one year at a rural school near Bluff Siding, WI.
In 1937, Nora met Fred A. Reiter, Jr. at his mother’s restaurant in Alma, the Alma Cafe, and in March of that year, the two of them eloped. Their union was blessed with five children, Fred August, III, Mary Ellen, Marcia Louise, Jane Elizabeth and Thomas Charles Reiter.
After the untimely death of her husband on April 9, 1957, Nora returned to the Buffalo County Normal School and was recertified to teach, resuming her professional life in a one-room school house at Griffin School near Gilmanton, WI, while raising a family and continuing her education nights, weekends and summers at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. Nora remained employed by the Gilmanton School District until her retirement in 1984, at age 67. She retired to her home on the hillside in Alma, with its view of the river valley.
In 2001, at age 83, Nora began a new adventure when she moved from her home in Alma to Des Moines, WA, a suburb of Seattle, near where her son, Tom, and daughter, Mary, lived. Nora lived in an apartment at Wesley Gardens, where she made many friends.
Nora’s health began to decline in November, 2012, and she died January 4th, 2013, in the home of her daughter, Mary, surrounded by loved ones, all of whom she recognized and spoke with until shortly before her passing.
Nora is survived by her five children, Fred A. Reiter (Barbara), Golden Valley, MN, Mary Ellen Hunter (Robert), Seattle, WA, Marcia L. Reiter, Alma, WI, Jane Reiter (Ronald Lintvedt), Milwaukee, WI and Thomas C. Reiter (Lisa), of Renton, WA.
Nine grandchildren survive Nora: Christopher Reiter, New Hope, MN, Patrick Reiter (Lisa), Plymouth, MN, Andrew (Marilyn) Hunter, St. John’s, Virgin Islands, Erica (Mark) Nordlund, Seattle, WA, Colin (Lyn) Hunter, Seattle, WA, Nicholas Lintvedt, Milwaukee, WI, Alexander Lintvedt, Minneapolis, MN, Shelby and Sarah Reiter, Renton, WA. There are five great grandchildren: Angus Nordland, Malia Hunter, Evangeline Lillian Lintvedt, Macy and Jack Patrick Reiter.
Nora is also survived by two nieces, Joan (Jerome) Baures of Galesville, WI, and Kathleen (John) Lucey, of LaCrosse, WI.
Nora was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Fred A. Reiter, Jr., her sister Lillian Dougherty, her brother Charles N. Keilholtz, Sr., her beloved nephew, Charles N. Keilholtz, Jr. and her special father and mother-in-law, Fred, Sr. and Sarah Reiter.
Nora loved her family, extended family and friends, literature and music, former students, pigs and ponies, our beautiful valley and a good political debate. She believed in concern for other people, loyalty to friends and a sense of fairness and justice in the world.
Nora was a member of the Eastern Star, the Democratic Party, the Retired Teachers Association and St. John’s Lutheran Church. She also volunteered at the polls on election days.
A celebration of Nora Reiter’s life will be held Sunday, February 3rd from 2:30-4:30 pm at Logan Hall, Wesley Gardens. 815 South 216th Street Des Moines, WA 98198.
A memorial service will be held in Alma on Saturday, July 6th, 2013, with visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., a funeral service at 11:00 and a lunch in the fellowship hall to follow. Please join us to celebrate the life of Nora Louise Hasbrook Reiter. Bring your photos and stories to share, if you have them.
12 Responses to “Nora Louise Hasbrook Reiter”
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In memory of a wonderful person. She was wonderful teacher, one of the books and also one of kindness and common sense, and love of the birds and animals. She was my third grade teacher and because of her being such a wonderful person she was, I have never forgotten her, or what I learned in her classroom,and now I am 54 years old. Now she is at that place she has prepared for, Heaven, and God has plenty rewards and a special place just for her. In loving memory of MRS. REITER. With GOD’S love to her loved ones, to make it easier to let go of such a special person,she is in that special place with our LORD. God’s blessings on all. Gloria
Mrs. Reiter was an exceptional teacher & person. She taught her students not only by teaching us from books but by teaching us how to be good people. When I was in her classroom I always felt loved as I feel she loved each and everyone of us. I feel privileged to have had her for a teacher and feel that my life has been better for it. I was in her classroom the year she retired and I remember how sad we all were that no one else would be able to have her for a teacher. I will always remember her and the time I spent with her. My thoughts are with her closest family and friends who loved and will miss her the most.
We knew Nora thru Tom, her son. We always felt Nora was a special person. She was soft-spoken with keen mental acuity. As stated in her obituary, she always strived for justice in the world, was very kind, and loved her family deeply. We always looked forward to visiting with her, and feel privileged that we got to know her.
Nora, was a very sweet, smart woman and an inspiration to all of us. May we always remember her with love.
One of the blessings of being Mary Hunters friend is to have had the chance of seeing Nora over the years. She was a wise, twinkle-eyed presence, interested in everyone and everything, and comfortable with all generations. She is remembered with love.
Nora was a beautiful women inside and out. Lisa (my sister) has often talked about how Nora was the best Mother-in-law, Mom and Grandmother her family could ask for. That says a lot about her. The few times I met her, I knew there was something really special about her. She exemplified strength, courage, dedication and love throughout her journey in this world. May we all exemplify a little bit of Nora in our own lives! Much Love to Nora’s Family.
Most remarks about Nora indicate admiration for her intelligence and kindness! I notice that because I felt that way about her myself, and I see those attributes continuing in her daughter, Mary, as an ongoing tribute to her mother. I have a feeling I will see those assets in all of Nora’s family.
Nora was a sparkle in the room….always aware of each person and showing a genuine interest in everyone and everything. Thinking of her I see a woman of quiet wisdom, practical sense and joyful energy. i was privileged to know her…..thankfully she is at peace. Love to her family.
Nora was a “Mom for all seasons”. A wonderful, brave, lively woman. Her love of reading and her continued interest in literature was a joy to witness. I wish her the very best in her continued adventures. And I wish her family peace.
Nora was a wonderful person. When I think of the task before her after her husband died, what a terrific job she did. I fondly remember many, many good times at the home “below the dip” in Alma. Gracious, caring, soft (but stern when she had to) are words that come to mind to describe Nora. Lastly, I would like to leave this comment. The world would be a much, much better place, if it were full of Nora Reiters. Most definitely her passing is all our loss.
My condolences to all.
Larry Ebert
I loved coming to Mary’s house for coffee with Nora – she was so genuine and so interested in everything. It was a pleasure to know her..just a bit in her later years.
The first time I met Nora several years ago, I felt as if I had known her my entire life. I was always so comfortable talking to her as if she were my own mother. She always had great opinions and advice and she always got my jokes. She will be so dearly missed by us all.