Date of Birth October 3, 1988
Date of Death July 25, 2010

Kari Rinehart entered this world on October 3, 1988. She was the oldest twin born to Leonard Dean and Joni (Jacobson) Rinehart. Her identical twin sister, Kati, was born 2 minutes later. Kati and Kari were inseparable; rarely seeing one without the other. Their smiles were contagious to all who came in contact with them.

Kari spent her entire life as a resident of South Haven. Her schooling included being a member of the 13 year club at South Haven School. She participated in an exceptionally well rounded education, taking advantage of much that the school had to offer. She played piano and was a drum major at school. She excelled with the sports teams throughout her high school career. Personal achievements included running a 5:53 mile at State Track and holding the fastest time in the 4K while running with the Caldwell Cross Country team. High school participation and honors included National Honor Society and FFA where she competed with her sheep for 4 years. By the end of her high school career she achieved the ultimate accomplishment as co-valedictorian of the 2007 graduating class.

As a cross country runner, she was recognized as a hard worker worthy of a scholarship to Cowley County Community College where she qualified for and participated in nationals. At Cowley she made the Deans Honor Roll and for the first time lived apart from her dear sister, Kati. After earning her Associates Degree in 2009, Kari and Kati entered WSU Dental Hygiene program where she also achieved Dean’s Honor Roll. Kari knew from a young age that teeth were her passion. She loved being in the clinic and having the opportunity to impact lives through something she was so passionate about.

During the summer of 2010, Kari returned home to be a country girl and assist her family with the wheat harvest. She helped cut wheat every summer, and truly loved her time at home. Nature particularly appealed to Kari over the summer while she fished with her father on days off, and caught a fawn one day during harvest. Another achievement for the summer was a quilt that she pieced for her love, Michael Harding. She was looking forward to having it completed in time for the South Haven fair.

Kari had a true love of life and approached everything with a way that let everyone know she was a wonderful person. Kari always wanted to make sure she had color in her life, and that alone made her happy. Kari was involved in church, youth group, church camps, and many other activities as often as possible. She loved the Lord, her family, Missouri Tigers, life and on November 28, 2009, she met Michael and found a new meaning for the word love. Kari was grateful to have grown up in a Christian family with a strong family presence. Kari showed strength of love through her actions and attitude.

Kari died late Sunday evening, July 25, 2010 at Wichita, KS, taken too soon for us to understand here on earth. Kari is in every sunrise we will see in the East and every laugh we hear. We will miss her dearly.

Kari is survived by her mother and father, Joni and Leonard Rinehart of South Haven, KS; sister, Kati of South Haven, KS; her fiancé Michael Harding, USMC currently stationed in Afghanistan; grandparents Harold and Nadine Rinehart of Caldwell, KS and Jon and Jean Jacobson of Blue Springs, MO.

Friends may call at the mortuary from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 28, 2010; 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 29, 2010 and from 9:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 30, 2010.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 31, 2010 at the South Haven High School Gymnasium, South Haven, Kansas.

Interment will be in the Goodel Cemetery, Drury, Kansas.

Memorials may be given in memory of Kari to the Kari Rinehart Scholarship Fund for the WSU Dental Hygiene Department. Please make checks payable to the WSU Foundation.