Tod Lyle Reichert of Onalaska, Wash., lost his battle to cancer March 1, 2018. He was born to Lee Reichert and Evelyn Rhyner Dec. 11, 1939, in Chehalis, Wash.
Tod was no stranger to hard work. As a young man, he worked around the family farm and for two years at Farmer’s Meat Market, where he learned the art of butchering meat. He also ran a restaurant and gas station for two years on Highway 12. Throughout his life, he raised cattle, bought and sold real estate and was always busy doing something from scouting for cedar to tending the farm. Tod spent a number of years cutting cedar shake blocks out in the woods until 1970. That is when he purchased a shake mill in Toledo, Wash. In the years to come, he added a shingle mill and later, saws to cut cedar fencing. Reichert Shake and Fencing now employs 60 plus employees, including many family members. He enjoyed family dinners and holiday gatherings as well as family vacations. Tod’s hobbies and passions include spending time with family, playing poker and hunting. He enjoyed small games with friends and also traveling to Vegas for bigger tournaments. A highlight was playing in the World Series in Las Vegas. Tod started hunting as a young man for deer and elk, which became a mainstay at the Reichert table. Over the years, he pursued his passion placing several heads in the Boone & Crockett record book.
Tod is survived by his beautiful bride of 57 years, Sonja Reichert; their two daughters, Kim (James) Wallace and Kelli (Jeff) Larson; five grandchildren, Dustin (Bailee) Barrett, Kailee Barrett, Levi Wallace, Tess Larson and Dani Larson; one great granddaughter, Blakely Cozart; and his half-brother, Delbert Hildesheim.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lee Reichert; mother, Evelyn Blome; and half-sister, Donna Cardenas.
You are invited to join the family and friends at a celebration of life at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 10, 2018, at Bethel Church in Chehalis, led by Pastor Mike Fontenot of Valley of Blessings Ministries. Please come share a meal and a story. You can bring a side dish if you choose. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made online to the Lewis County Gospel Mission at: lewiscountygospelmission.org or call 360-996-4474 and ask for Fay or Janet.
