Minerva Reinshagen, of Swan Lake, NY passed away on September 24, 2024 at Roscoe Regional Nursing Home after a brief illness. She was 99. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by her family and many others in the community who had the joy of spending time with her over the years.

She was born on September 1, 1925 in Kauneonga Lake, NY, the daughter of Everett and Edith (Couchman) Wells. Min survived a bout of typhoid fever when she was 12. She gave Dr. Duggan credit for saving her life.

Min graduated from Monticello High School in 1943. She married her husband, Herman, on October 19, 1943 in New York City.

Minerva was the co-owner of Reinshagen Farms alongside Herman. Together they operated the farm, growing and selling all kinds of vegetables for over 40 years. They belonged to the New York State Vegetable Growers Association and took many trips with that group over the years.

Beyond her responsibilities on the farm, Minerva enjoyed being active in the community.

Though only 5 feet tall, Min was a point guard and Captain of her basketball team in high school. Min and Herm bowled on leagues for many years. Min continued bowling well into her 80s and she always used a 16 lb ball. They also enjoyed playing golf and traveled all around the US to visit friends and play golf in different areas. Min had a Hole-in-One at the 8th Hole of the Nevele Golf Course on September 18, 1986. Min and Herm also enjoyed Square Dancing and were members of the Happy Footers Square Dance Club for many years.

Min was the treasurer for the Bethel Senior Building Committee for the Town of Bethel for 27 years. She enjoyed attending the monthly Senior Lunch at the White Lake Reformed Presbyterian Church. She was also active in her church community.

Min enjoyed a good game of cards and Scrabble. She and Herman taught everyone in the family to play Canasta, a card game that was played whenever family got together. She inherited a love of Scrabble from her mother.  She had a Deluxe Turntable Scrabble Board and loved to have friends and family play with her.  She was also an avid NY Mets baseball fan. When she couldn’t watch the Mets game on TV, she would follow the play by play on her iPad.  Min loved to watch the birds at her feeders as she enjoyed a cup of tea or coffee at her kitchen table.

Min loved to have people come to visit. She enjoyed any and all family get-togethers. She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her son, Raymond Reinshagen of Jeffersonville, daughter, Debra Bennett and her husband, Bruce of Sunderland, MA; son-in-law, Douglas Gabriel of Friendship, WI; sister Mary Martin of Topsfield, MA; grandchildren Wayne Gabriel, Glenn Gabriel (Roberta), Daren Gabriel (Robyn), Tammy Steine (Matt), Amanda Bennett (Juan Rangel), Christine Schimmel (Jon), Ryan Reinshagen (Alicia); as well as great-grandchildren Colton and Rylee Gabriel, and Eliza, Kevin and Michael Stiene. She also leaves behind her nephew Richard Wells and niece Valerie Vitale. 

Minerva is predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Herman Reinshagen in 2006; daughter Ruth Ann Decker in 1998; daughter Judy Gabriel in 2013; son-in-law Harvey Decker and brother, Charles Wells.

There will be no services per her request. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.