Thomas Joseph Reif

Obituary for Thomas J. Reif Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, Thomas Joseph Reif, age 71, died on Saturday, September 19, 2015. After an 8-month battle with lung cancer, he peacefully entered into eternal life at his home with his wife and four children holding his hand. Born March 4, 1944 in Grand Rapids, MN to Jane (Litcher) and Myles Reif, Tom was the third of seven children. He graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1962, participating in numerous athletic and extra-curricular activities. Tom attended St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN, graduating in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. While at St. John’s, Tom was a member of ROTC, and upon graduation, Tom enlisted in the United States Army. As a 1st Lieutenant in the Military Police, Tom served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. After fulfilling his commitment, Tom was honorably discharged and enrolled at William Mitchell College of Law. While in Law School, Tom was a Deputy Sherriff in Hennepin County. Tom graduated with his Juris Doctorate in 1973. On June 26, 1971, Tom married Mary Jane Bina in Owatonna, MN. Upon graduation from law school, the couple moved to Alexandria, MN, where Tom practiced law and served as the Douglas County Attorney from 1974 to 1984. Tom was a partner at the Thornton Law Office in Alexandria until his retirement in 2014. He served on the Alexandria School Board from 1986-1992 and had the honor of serving as Chairman of the School Board for his final two-year term. Tom and Mary Jane raised their four children in Alexandria, and were avid Cardinal Athletic fans and supporters of the community. Tom was an active member of Saint Mary’s Parish for over 40 years, serving on Parish Council. Tom will be missed by many. His physical presence was not the reason he commanded a room. He was respected for his dedication to law, his pride for his family and his quick wit with his friends. Tom was an honest, fair man who believed in hard work, family, his faith in God & serving his community. Tom is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John W. Reif and his in-laws, Harold and Jane (Kelly) Bina. He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane, his children, Gretchen (Shane) Kray of Wausau, WI, Katie (Rick) Sansted of Alexandria, MN, Molly (Brent) Vigen of Laramie, WY, and Edward (Sarah) Reif of Alexandria, MN, 11 grandchildren (Peter, Myles, Jake, Sam, Kelly, Ellen, Grant, Teddy, Luke, Hazel and Alexander), brother William (Mary Nell) Reif of Wausau, WI, brother Jim (Diane) Reif of Naperville, IL, sister Mary (Doug) Heiken of Grand Rapids, MN, sister Anne (Terry) Finlay of Arden Hills, MN, and sister Jean (Mike) Geurts of Belleview, IL. Also survived by Robert (Patricia) Bina of Kempner, TX, Mark (Nancy) Bina of New Brighton, MN, Nancy (John) Schnese of Maple Grove, MN, Michael Bina of Owatonna, MN, and many nieces and nephews. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, September 25, 2015 at 11 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria. A visitation will be held on Thursday, from 4-7PM at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Parish Prayers beginning at 7PM. Also a visitation will be held for one hour prior to the mass on Friday at the church. “Give thanks for all we’ve been given and march on with a smile in your heart.” - TJR In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to be given in Thomas J. Reif's name to either the Cardinal Athletic Foundation, Douglas Health Care Foundation or the Thomas J. Reif Memorial Scholarship.

Thomas Joseph Reif

March 4, 1944 - September 19, 2015