Lynda Reigstad

Lyn Reigstad, 78, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 with family at her side. She was born on September 1, 1947 in Madison, to Berne and Inez Reigstad. Lyn grew up in DeForest, Wisconsin, where, as a child, she would enjoy time with friends and where she would visit her grandfather’s farm. Her twenties were interrupted by Legionnaire’s Disease which resulted in her spending some months in the hospital in a coma and recovery. This event was defining for her in many ways.

After graduating from DeForest High School, she worked a variety of jobs, one of which was selling tires. In 1979, she took a position at the University of Wisconsin Colleges (then called the Centers) where she worked until her retirement in 2007. At the Colleges, she held several positions, the last being as director of Human Resources. She was always concerned about the work lives of both the faculty and staff and was an advocate for them. She brought her experience as an Affirmative Action Officer to her HR work and increased the ethnic and gender diversity of the Colleges’ employees. She especially supported those individuals who faced various impediments to job opportunities and career growth and was a mentor to a number of employees and students by providing career advice and job opportunities to them.

Lyn was always there for family and friends to listen, to problem solve, and to provide support. She unselfishly put others welfare first instead of hers.

Her caring nature extended to animals and her first-floor patio, across from a wooded area, provided a buffet for birds, squirrels, raccoons, rabbits, ducks, and a red fox. Feeding and caring for these animals provided her with a great deal of joy. She loved cats, her last being a stray, Oliver, which she took in.

She was a “foodie” and was fond of good restaurants, especially those that served mussels. Her TV viewing tended toward food shows, sports, and political news programs. Lyn was a true liberal in the best sense of the word and held those values dear. She was quite interested in the machinations of all politics and was most happy discussing the latest information and opinions on current events.

Lyn was devoted to her beloved family. She was very close to her nephew, Steve, and Ann, Steve’s wife and she and her close friends thought of their boys, Casey, Braden and Declan as her “grandsons”.

She is survived by brother, John (Marge) of Minocqua; nephews, Steve (Ann) of Menomonee Falls and Tom of DeForest; and grand-nephews, Casey, Braden and Declan. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Marilyn