Born on May 9, 1936, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, she was one of seven children born to Randel and Helen Niemoller Reinert. Education blossomed early for Carolyn, who tended to her learning through country school until the eighth grade, before graduating from Glenwood High School in 1954. She didn't just play a role in nurturing crops and livestock; she also fostered growth in the community as a long-time leader in 4-H, where she served with devotion for over 22 years. Her contributions to 4-H earned her an esteemed place in the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame, receiving this recognition for exemplifying the very essence of Head, Heart, Hands, and Health—the four pillars upon which the organization thrives.
A devoted farm wife, Carolyn dedicated herself wholeheartedly to the rhythms of rural life alongside her beloved husband, Merlynn Bintz. Together, they cultivated not just cattle, hogs and chickens—laying hens, broilers, and capons—but also a family bond that thrived with every season. Carolyn was the tender gardener of the family; she nurtured the hearts of her 4 children: Dwight, Denise, Deloma, Diane, and was always their first cheerleader.
Carolyn was known for her generosity of spirit; she was always kind and wore a smile that could brighten even the cloudiest of days. Her passion for gardening extended well beyond the fields and farm; she had a remarkable green thumb that brought life not only to flowers and yard work but to every tapestry of her life. From carefully tending to her vegetable patches to gracing her home with blooming flowers. She never missed a county fair or her grandchildren's spirited 4-H events, always at the forefront to cheer them.
Carolyn entered Heavens eternal gates on Monday, May 19, 2025, at Prairie Gate Living Center, having attained the age of 89 years and 10 days. She was preceded in death by her parents Randel and Helen; loving husband Merlynn; siblings Eldred, Dwayne, Roberta and Joan.
Left to tend her earthly garden are her children Dwight Bintz of Avoca, Iowa; Denise and husband Ron Nihsen of Minden, Iowa; Deloma and husband Ben Fischer of Avoca, Iowa; Diane and husband Don Mills of Weeping Water, Nebraska; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; siblings Gordon and wife Karen Reinert of Glenwood, Iowa; Janice Hiley of Council Bluffs, Iowa; sister-in-law Waunita Reinert of Glenwood, Iowa; brother-in-law Carroll Bintz of Neola, Iowa; other family and many friends.
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