John Reifenrath, age 74, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at his home.

Funeral Services are pending at this time.

How do you begin to summarize someone who was described as larger than life, that lit up a room with his presence, that was a rock for his family. That was John Bennett Reifenrath II, 74, who passed away unexpectedly at his home on the morning of February 25, 2026.

John was born in Lafayette, IN. He attended Central Catholic high school and was recruited by Purdue University on a full ride scholarship to play football. John studied industrial management and went on to pursue a career in sales and marketing that took him across the world and United States. His true passion (besides his family) was aviation which began as a child watching planes take off and land at the airport with his father. While his dream of becoming a pilot was dashed due to color blindness he did get his chance to fly solo. John also had an artistic gift and focused that talent on carving airplanes out of wood and continued this until the day he died. John restored World War II recognition models for the Smithsonian Air and Space Institute for many years.

John was an incredibly kind, generous, and loving person. He made friends with everyone from neighbors to cashiers at the grocery store to other people out walking their dogs at the prairie while he walked his dog, Finn. John was an incredible story teller, a history and movie buff and always had a funny joke to tell. He always brought much warmth and laughter to a room.

John was an incredible husband, father, grandfather, and will be forever missed by his wife of 45 years, Cindy Reifenrath, his daughter Katharine (Patrick) Krier, his son Peter (Lauren) Reifenrath, grandson Oliver Krier, Golden Retriever, Finn, as well as many other family members and friends.

John was preceded in death by his daughter, Marnie Reifenrath, father John Reifenrath, and mother Dororthy Reifenrath. In memory of John B. Reifenrath II please consider donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.