Bruce Reinarts

Bruce Reinarts, Bismarck, passed away June 5, 2024. A celebration of life will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 11 at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck. Family will greet guests one hour prior.

Bruce Allen Reinarts was born January 4, 1951 to Robert and Dorothy (Stack) Reinarts in Minot where he grew up and graduated from Minot High in 1969. After high school, he attended Minot State University and earned his bachelor’s degree in business.

In 1973, he moved to Bismarck and started his employment with the North Dakota Department of Transportation as a land appraiser. He worked for the state for over 23 years until he was offered an opportunity where his passion for the outdoors and work merged. In 1996 he began working for Ducks Unlimited where his love for hunting, fishing, and land were all part of his everyday work. In 2013 he retired and that is when life really began and everyday was a “Saturday.”

Through mutual friends on a set-up date, Bruce began his relationship with Darlene Ternes. The two were married in Minot on June 21, 1975. Together, they resided in Bismarck where they started their careers and family.

Bruce was a quiet man until you really got him talking and he could then BS with the best of them. His love for the outdoors was evident in everything that he did, and that started with the family farm as a young child. He spent countless hours fishing on Lake Sakakawea and hunting around Garrison with his brother, Dave and sons, Brian and Brent. He was the designated captain of the pontoon and navigated the Missouri River with a Crown in hand. He was the best papa and baby whisperer. He loved to travel, especially to Mexico with close friends and family where he bellied right up to the swim up bar(s) and enjoyed walking the beaches with Darlene. The Fourth of July is the Reinarts’ Christmas. He loved everything about the red, white, and blue. Living on the river was a dream of Bruces where many late night deck conversation took place and memories were cherished. Bruce will be greatly missed but his legacy and love for nature and his farm will be carried on through his family.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Darlene; son, Brian (Tiffany) West Fargo, and their children, Keaira and Krew; son, Brent (Angie) West Fargo, and their children, Owen, Norah, and Quinn; daughter, Sarah (Carlyle) Scott Bismarck, and their children, Truitt and Taves; siblings, David (Deb), Paula Potter, Peggy (Mark) Tollefson; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Julie Reinarts; and brother-in-law, Rick Visina.