Kimberly Dawn Reinhardt's Obituary
Kimberly Dawn Reinhardt, 51, passed away early Monday morning, December 28, 2020, at Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri. Kim died with her hand being held by a nurse practitioner, much like she had done so many times before for her beloved residents at Pinckneyville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.
Kim was described by many as a spitfire and full of sass. She could be stubborn and refused to put up with much from others. However, her life was dedicated to the care of others, often putting the concern of others before herself. After pursuing a career in photography, Kim discovered her true calling was caring for people and devoted her life to serving those who could no longer care for themselves. She worked as a CNA for over 27 years, primarily at her hometown nursing home. She caught Covid-19 earlier this year, and when the nursing home was short staffed, she continued to work in the Covid wing, caring for who she lovingly referred to as "my residents." She was beyond exhausted but loved them so. She was not going to let them not be cared for or die alone.
She was a lifelong Star Wars enthusiast and was a fan of all things Harry Potter. She was known to read through numerous books in a week and was always working on jotting down her own ideas for a novel. Except for a brief period, Kim resided in Pinckneyville her entire life. She was recently making plans to travel with her dear friend Danielle Luthy-Greer after the pandemic. Despite not being able to fulfill that dream, Kim clearly went on many adventures and lived in many places during her lifetime. As her Facebook profile states, "A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one."
Kim's greatest pride and joy were her great-nieces Tehya, Hannah and Mia Thompson. She spoiled them beyond belief and her doting on them will be missed.
And for the ancestry junkie that Kim was and who taught her niece Rebecca the joy of cemetery headstone rubbings and showed her where all their German immigrant ancestors are buried: Kim was born to the late Harvey Reinhardt and Helen (Bird) Reinhardt, in Pinckneyville, Illinois on June 12, 1969. She graduated from Pinckneyville Community High School in 1987. She is survived by her loving brother Herb Reinhardt, who she affectionally called "Sonny," sister Donna (Daryl) Cashion, her nephews John Reinhardt, Darnell (Amy) Cashion and Daniel (Lauren) Cashion, niece Rebecca Reinhardt Thompson (Jason) and beloved great-nieces Tehya, Hannah and Mia Thompson, and friends too numerous to list.
Due to Covid restrictions a small private family memorial service will be held at Mueller Hill Cemetery. Kim will be buried next to her parents that she missed so much.
Pyatt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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