Kari Rinehart
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.
Condolences
Scott and Pam Wiggins
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Kari. Our deepest condolences. Please know that our prayers will be with you.
Love,
Scott and Pam Wiggins
Steve, Janie, Dane, Drew, and Dylan DeWitt
Your family has been constantly in our thoughts and prayers for the past week. Kari has touched so many people in her rather short walk on earth. I can only imagine what she is doing in heaven! Even though you can rejoice in knowing where she is now, I know that you all will miss her in a way that words can't describe. We pray that God will comfort you and enable you to enjoy the many blessing you have had in Kari.
Jack and Gayle Hurley
Dear Leonard, Joni, Kati, Harold, & Nadine,
It is beyond imagination the impact of losing Kari is having on your lives and your hearts. We offer a heartfelt prayer in sympathy that God will bless and comfort you in His own loving way. God keep you close in this time of loss.
Janell Sealy
We are so shocked to hear about the accident and very sad to think of your family having to go through this tragic death. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. Keep your faith and remember to ask GOD for help when you're having a hard time understanding why this happened. He is the reason we all get up in the morning and enjoy the beautiful sunrises.
May God Bless You!
Sincerely,
Bruce and Janell Sealy
Eston & Emily
Charlotte Knox
Harold, Nadine and family, You are in my prayers as you suffer this loss. We enjoyed the girls activities that were in the news and how special she was. It is hard to understand but the Lord is our strength through the recovery. May God comfort you through your good memories. Charlotte
Cheri Martin
Dear Michael and Kari's family,
My heart breaks for the loss of your loved one. Praying for strength for you today.
Katrina Hallman
Leonard, Joni, and Kari
As today has come, my heart aches for you. We will celebrate the life of a very beautiful, talented, and smart girl. As I have listened this week, please know that your community is feeling your loss and sharing in your grief. Lean on that for comfort today as this will be a very challenging day for all of you. Through your tears and your hurting hearts, I hope that you will find the strength to cope and remember the greatness that Kari gave this world with everything she did. I truly am sorry for your loss.
With deepest sympathy,
Katrina Hallman
Sue, Dusty, and Natalie Norlund
Joni, Leonard, Kati, Jean and Jon
I am so sorry about your loss of Kari. My heart aches for the pain I know you are feeling. I am praying that God will give you peace, love and comfort during this difficult time. Your friend, Sue
Gregg and Angie Raschke
Joni-Leonard & Kati~
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Kari. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and Michael during this difficult time. May GOD bless you all and give you the strength to carry on.
Brent and Diane Clayton
Dear Leonard, Joni and Kati:
We have thought of you often since we have heard this tragic news. Certainly there are no words that we can offer that will change the overwhelming loss that you feel.
We heard the news through a young woman from here in Wellington that went to camp Horizon this summer and had a tremendous time there. We know that you were justifiably very proud of Kari and how she had chosen to live her life. She had a large impact even in the few years that she lived on this earth.
Please know that we as a church are praying for you and all the many people that are mourning this huge loss. We trust that you all will experience the strength that Jesus promised in the middle of the storms of life.
Our Prayers are with you all.
Jan, Linda and Jacob Elliott
Rinehart family,
We are so saddened by your loss. You raised two exceptional young women. Kari touched so many lives. She lit up the world where ever she went. May God grant you the strength to heal your broken hearts.
Kyane (Berline) Lee
Kati- Joni- and Leonard-
I am thinking of your entire family and hoping that strength finds you.
Kari always had such a beautiful smile that graced everyone she met. I thought a lot of her.
May God lift you up.....
Erin and Ryan Bohannon
Joni, Leonard, and Kati-
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We were very blessed to have known Kari. She was such a great person with a great personality. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family in this time of need.
Rod, Janice and Brent Harshfield
No words can express our heart felt feelings. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
In our Lords name, The Harshfield's
Jim and Sharan Harshfield
We are so very sorry for your loss. Our hearts and prayers are focused on you.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL
Jim And Sharan
The Deyoe Family
Dear Leonard, Joni and Kati:
Thank you for sharing your beautiful daughter and sister with our family. Chris and I are so honored to have been a part of her life through Sunday School, Youth Group and beyond. Derek and Ryan's lives were touched by Kari in so many ways. Kari's laughter and zeal for life enthused every one around her. May God comfort you and, in time, your memories help sustain you. Our thoughts, prayers and love are being sent to each of you.
Eric Viccaro
With full steam and determination, Kari Rinehart was one of the best athletes this journalist ever covered . . .
With a grace and a smile that could light thousands of cities at once, she raced down the track to her goals in life . . .
With dedication and a passion for dental hygiene, she showed the same level of aptitude in the classroom as on the athletic field . . .
Kari was loved by all that were touched by this particular angel . . .
Leonard, you were her first patient, and this man cheered when saw the photos from Facebook . . . Kati, your sister's memory will always be by your side, hand in hand . . . Joni, the spirit of the Missouri Tiger you cheer, with its pride, will forever live on with you . . .
Having lost a loved one so young, this man completely empathizes with what you are going through . . . the anguish, the heartache, the downright anger, the loss . . . but, that angel is looking down from upon Heaven and smiling . . .
And it was with her smile that captured everyone's hearts that knew of her . . . from South Haven, from Cowley College, from Wichita State, from passing glances . . .
My condolences go out to you, Rinehart family, in these hours of need, of embraces, of memories from Kari's life.
J.R. & Amy Turner
Leonard, Joni, & Kati
Our hearts go out to you at this time of deep sorrow. Although we haven't been able to stay in touch with you regularly over the years due to the long distance between our homes, we have always felt near to you because of the close ages of our daughters to yours. You are in our thoughts & prayers. We know He will provide you with the comfort you and your family will need as you deal with your loss until you are reunited with Kari in His kingdom.
Tom & Sherry Henton and Family
Leonard, Joni and Kati
Our family is deeply touched by your loss. Even though we have grown apart over the years, you still hold a special place in my/our heart. God places our children in our lives for a purpose and even when we don't understand how times can be cut short, always know that God's plan has been achieved. Our thoughts and prayers are and will be with you.
Pat & Luanne Garrity & Family
The Rinehart Family,
We have been thinking of you all and wish you the strength and comfort that we know is not easy to find right now. May your wonderful memories of the time spent with Kari help you through this difficult time. The few words one can write in no way can lessen your pain. Please find strength and comfort in each other and through your friends and family. And as you grieve, please remember to lean on Jesus! He loves you all, and will help you through this!!!
Michael,
If words alone could ease your pain, we would gladly write a book for you. That is something that only time can do. There aren't adequate words to describe how sorry we feel for your loss. Always remember what a beautiful & special person Kari was and that she will always be watching over you. In time, the happy memories you made together will help carry you through this difficult time and let you laugh again. May your memories overshadow the grief you are feeling. It is great to celebrate the life Kari had and smile at the memories. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you.
Mindy and Tom Manley
Leonard, Joni and Kati,
Words cannot express our sadness at hearing of the loss of Kari. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you during this tragic time. May God bless all of you and help you find strength through you wonderful memories of Kari in the days to come.
Mindy and Tom
Chris & Jana (Alexander) Wooderson
Leonard, Joni and Kati - Rinehart and Jacobson families ~
Our hearts ache for you all. We pray that God consume you with His love, His peace, and His comfort - now and forever.
Dr. Gerald Howell Dept of Dental Hygiene
I want to express my deepest condolances.. Kari was one of my favorite students with her beautiful smile and always seemed to be happy. I will miss her greatly next semester
Tom and Donni McClaflin
Dear Rinehart family, We are so sorry for the loss of your beautiful daughter. We both work at Cowley College and got to know both of the girls. We send you our deepest sympathy.
Bonnie Niles
Dear Joni, Leonard and Kati,
I am at a loss for words. You all are in my heart and prayers. I know your faith is tested and none of this makes sense. Everyone who knew Kari or you or even just heard of this horrific accident are deeply touched and saddened. MY hope for you is peace in wonderful memories of a wonderful life.
Sending my love,
Bonnie Niles
Glenn and Lisa Mudd and family
You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God's strength, comfort and healing be upon each of you.
The Seals Family
Leonard, Joni, and Kati,
We are so sorry to hear about the tragic accedent that the girls had. We pray that Kati has a full recovery, and that the Lord be with you in this hard time as your family morns the loss of one of your precious children. My God give you the strenght to grow and get through this.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL..
Todd and Tess Dvorak
Leonard,Joni, and Kati~
Its hard to find the words to express how sad we feel about the loss of your sweet daughter, Kari. I knew her as a beautiful girl as she was growing up, but I really got to know Kari when she was our first grade aide. Every day with her in the classroom was a joy. She would walk into the room and every child in there would light up with a smile and run to hug her. What a blessing she was to everyone that knew her. I pray for healing for your family through this difficult time. If we can do anything for you, please let us know. Tess
Kaitlin Koehler
Leonard, Joni, and Kati
I cannot even think of words to help you through your loss. Kari was loved by many and will be forever. Kati I know you and Kari were never apart, but I am sure you will grow from this even more than you already have. May God be with you right now in your time of need. God Bless you!
Chris & Heather Rinehart
Joni, Leonard, & Kati,
Words cannot express how our hearts hurt for you now. We find comfort today knowing that Kari has recieved a new body, one that is holy and pure. I know that if we could hear her words today, she would say: "You guys have to see this! It's even better than you would believe, I can't wait until you can see what I see!" That day will come, but until then, we will do what Kari did while she was with us... love. Love Christ and Love others, because that is what he has called us to do. Kari was a perfect example for all of us. What a blessing she was to all who crossed her path. We love each of you and will be praying for your peace and comfort.
"God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4