Loving father and grandfather of 86 years entered into eternal rest on August 5, 2009.
As the ninth of 10 children born to Dutch emigrant parents in Platte, SD on September 24, 1922, Rein moved to Ripon, CA, and went on to star as a high school quarterback.
During WWII Rein served as an MP in the Asiatic Theater with the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a member of the Marine Memorial Foundation for over 50 years. Rein graduated from San Jose State University with a B.S. degree in Biology. He worked for the US Department of Agriculture, specializing in canned and processed foods, in various capacities in California and Washington, D.C. for 32 years.
After moving to a ranch in San Martin, CA in 1961, church and community service were priorities in his life. Rein was a charter member and instrumental in the founding of the San Jose Christian Reformed Church. He served in various leadership positions in the church for over 50 years.
Rein was elected to two-four years terms as a member of the Morgan Hill Unified School District serving as President and V.P. on two occasions. He also served on committees with the Santa Clara County Office of Education.
Rein was a Life Member of the San Martin Lions Club and served in various capacities for over 38 years. He was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International. He also served as an adult leader in the San Martin 4-H Club.
Preceded in death by his wife Jane of 40 years, Rein is survived by his three children, Martin Groen and his wife, Mary Anne of Morgan Hill, CA, Barbara Groen of San Martin, CA, son Tom Groen and his wife Aimee of Ripon, CA, his sister Hattie Hansum of Platte, SD, and seven grandchildren.
Friends and family are invited to attend a viewing at Johnson Funeral Home in Morgan Hill on Thursday, August 13, 2009, from 4:00-8:00 P.M. Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 14, 2009, at the San Jose Christian Reformed Church, 5150 Camden Avenue, at 11:00 A.M. Burial, next to his loving wife, will be at Hanford Memorial Cemetery on Monday, August 17, 2009, at 12:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
