Celebration of Life
12:30PM - 3:00PM Saturday, July 26, 2025 The Norbert 115 South Main Street West Bend Wisconsin, 53095
12:30PM - 3:00PM Saturday, July 26, 2025 The Norbert 115 South Main Street West Bend Wisconsin, 53095
James ‘Jamie’ Oliver Reigle, age 70 of Red Wing, Minnesota died January 29, 2025 at Ellsworth Health Services where he received care for a very short time.
Jamie was born on December 12, 1954, to Ronald O. and Jane A. Reigle in West Bend, Wisconsin. Jamie was born 15 minutes after his identical twin brother, Ron. The Lord gave Jamie many challenges to face in life, but Jamie met every obstacle with determination and love. All he ever wanted from life was to be just like his brother. Jamie loved everyone he met and was loved by so many who were touched by his life. Jamie spent his childhood and teen years at Southern Colony, a State School in Union Grove, Wisconsin. It was there that he learned how to take care of himself and to live independently. As he grew older he lived in a number of group homes in the Milwaukee area. While living in Wauwatosa he had the opportunity to travel with his group home supervisor, Otis. Otis took Jamie to Alabama and southern US as well as a trip to Hawaii. In his Thirties, Jamie began work at the family business, Regalware, located in Kewaskum, Wisconsin. Jamie worked in the Regal Ware print shop for 19 years. One of his daily jobs was to deliver mail to the office, which gave him the opportunity to walk through the factory where he always stopped to talk to everyone. Jamie was on the Board of the Opportunity League during this time. He lived in an apartment in West Bend and for many years did his own grocery shopping as well as monthly walks down to Ron’s Barber Shop on Washington Avenue.
Jamie moved to Tucson, Arizona in the late 1990s to be closer to his mom and dad and sister Annette. Jamie had an apartment there at Catalina Village that looked out on the Catalina Mountains, the same view that his mom and dad had. He made many friends, and he took it upon himself to work around the place, sweeping sidewalks, and helping the kitchen staff . He loved to paint crafts that he gave to family as gifts. He spent his weekends with family. In late 2017, Ron and his wife Lynne moved Jamie up to Wisconsin and eventually into an independent apartment at Deer Crest, a senior living facility in Red Wing, Minnesota where he lived until his death. Jamie was well known and loved at Deer Crest where he made friends with staff and residents. Jamie was known for retelling tales of his many adventures with his brother. Jamie loved to come out to his brother’s place in the country to help him with projects or ride on his John Deere Gator or just relax on the porch. His brother Ron took him on many adventures with his fishing buddies where he typically caught more fish than his brother and his friends including a 50″ muskie and many northern pike. Jamie loved nothing more than spending time with family and friends. Sharing a meal; a good Joe Schwai brat, a steak or fish fry was always a highlight of his day. He was a simple man, fiercely independent but with huge heart. He will be missed by all who know him.
Jamie was preceded in death by his father Ronald O., mother Jane A., sister Annette Barrett and sister-in-law Lynne (Ron) Reigle. He is survived by his twin brother Ron, younger sister Lynne Klein, older sister Suellen Altholz. Nieces and nephews, many ‘grandchildren’ and many, many friends and relatives.
A private graveside service will be held at Peace Cemetery in Kewaskum, Wisconsin. A public Celebration of Life remembering his gentle soul will be on Saturday, July 26, 2025 from 12:30 – 3:00 pm at The Norbert, 115 South Main Street in West Bend, Wisconsin.
Memorials preferred at will be used to honor Jamie’s memory and may be mailed to the funeral home. Cremation and Memorial services entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 130 North Grant Street, Ellsworth, Wisconsin 54011.