Jack Robert Rein, 98, of Crivitz, passed away peacefully on Jan. 4, 2026 after a short illness. He was born April 14, 1927 in Burlington to Annabelle (Mastrianni) Rein and Arthur William Rein.
Jack had a remarkable memory for names and events and spoke frequently of his childhood and fondness for Burlington. He was educated there, and enjoyed great success as an athlete. He received All-Conference honors in basketball as Burlington’s leading scorer his junior and senior year. But his first love was football. In 1944 he scored 132 points during the seven-game season, a record that stood for many decades. The Wisconsin State Journal named him the best fullback in the state. He received scholarship offers from Wisconsin, Illinois, Notre Dame, Tennessee and Tulsa. College was put on hold for two years, during which he served proudly, stationed in Panama in the Army Military Police. After WW II ended, he attended Tulsa University.
In 1953 Art met the love of his life, Marjorie Agnes Robers. On Oct. 24, 1953 they married. Six children in seven years followed. They made their home in Burlington where he worked his way up the ladder at Lavelle Industries. In 1966, he heard the call of the Northwoods. Along with his sister Betty and her husband Bill Plucker, Jack and Marg purchased East End Resort on Lake Noquebay in Crivitz. There, the two families merged, ten kids, four parents and one grandmother living in a sixty-year-old lodge, big as a barn and just as drafty. Jack lived out the rest of his life there, save the last six months, when the infirmity of living 98 years finally caught up with him.
Throughout his life, he took great pleasure and pride in his family. He and Marge hosted family holidays both winter and especially summer, when twelve grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren came to the lake to swim and ski. Watching the fun from his lakeside seat was one of his greatest pleasures. The resort remains in the family, the ownership having passed through the generations to a grandson, the current owner. In 2005, Jack, along with his brother, Bill, was inducted into the Burlington High School Athletic Wall of Fame, making them the first set of brothers so honored.
Preceding Jack in death were his wife of 67 years, Marjorie; brother William Arthur; sister Betty Ann; and three sons, Jeffrey, Jack, and Michael. He is survived by two sons, Arthur (Barb) and William (Barb); a daughter, Lisa (Gary) Kotecki; daughters-in-law, Sherrie (Jeffrey) Youngren, Cynthia (Jack) Rein, and Mary (Michael) Rein; twelve grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren along with many loving relatives and friends.
Plans for a memorial service will be announced at a later date. The family would like to thank Unity Hospice and the staff at Heritage, Appleton, Wisconsin for their care and support during Dad’s final months.
For online condolences, please visit www.rhodescharapata.com.