Reynold Godfried Kann 86, of rural McGregor, died Thursday, October 01, 2009, at Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital, Prairie du Chien, WI. He was born to Herbert and Ida (Heck) Kann, rural Guttenberg on August 26, 1923. Reynold received his education in rural country school.

Reynold served in the U.S. Army coastal artillery during WWII. Upon his discharge he farmed with his brother Loren in rural McGregor.

He was united in marriage to Shirley Nichols on February 7, 1949, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in McGregor. Four children were born to this union. Reynold and Shirley spent their lives working together on the family’s farm near Spook Cave. Many also remember Reynold as a bit of a salesman as he spent a number of years selling farm lubricants for Archer Oil to surrounding farmers.

Survivors include his wife Shirley of rural McGregor; children, Bruce (Linda) Kann of McGregor, Twila (Owen) Dettman of McGregor, Todd (Sally) Kann of Marquette and Lynn Palas of Prairie du Chien, WI; eight grandchildren, Sirena (Wade) Caplinger, Quinten (Cynthia) Kann, Jason Kann, Sarah Kann (Josh,(fiancé), Jessica Kann (Jeremy, (fiancé), Marti Dettman, Graham Palas and Garett Palas; eight great-grandchildren, Blue, Toni, Cecilia, Blaise, John, Ella, Bryton, and Grace; two brothers, Herbert Kann of Guttenberg and Verdus (Sandy) Kann of Wyoming, MN; one sister, Mary Parker, of Guttenberg and one sister-in-law, Antoinette Kann of Marquette.

Reynold was preceded in death by his parents; two siblings, Loren Kann and Donna Nieland; brother-in-laws, Eldon Parker and Norbert Nieland, and sister-in-law, Grace Kann.

Reynold was a Life long member of the American Legion, and the Knights of Columbus.

Reynold was an inventor and a tinkerer and his family will attest many a late evening was lit by the flicker of his arc welder as he built or modified his farm machinery. He had a zest for life and a zeal for people. He never met a stranger. He enjoyed fishing, traveling, or as his children will jokingly remember, "it's not what you see, but how far you can get", dancing, listening to polkas, and going out to dinner was one of his greatest joys. In his later years, a joke and a wink was his normal response to many of life’s ills. He loved to spend time with his friends and family and he will be dearly missed.