Jeffrey Virgil Reetz

Jeffrey Virgil Reetz went home to heaven April 14, 2024. Son of Doug and Arleen Reetz born April 15, 1947 in the panhandle of Nebraska. He grew up on a farm with his older brother, David Reetz, outside Potter, Nebraska. Jeff attended the University of Wyoming in Laramie where he met his wife of 55 years, Nicole Reetz. Jeff and Nicky started their family while he worked for the Wyoming Fish and Game and numerous other jobs to make ends meet. He finished his Master's degree in River Falls, WI, then returned to Potter, NE to begin his role as the Biology teacher at Potter Schools, as well as to help his Dad with the farm and operate the Buffalo Bend Restaurant/Motel/RV park. There, Jeff was a respected teacher, wrestling coach, basketball coach, football coach, athletic director, school photographer, and Scout Master for 9 1/2 years. 

In his spare time Jeff would take his family exploring the bluffs of Nebraska and hunting for arrowheads, one of his favorite pastimes, and spending time with family.  Leaving lasting impressions in the Potter community, he took a job opportunity in Denver and moved his family to Berthoud, CO, where his children finished high school. Jeff's work involved several opportunities across the country, one of which was his own communications business working with FAA security system upgrades and next generation communications for a natural gas pipeline.

Taking an opportunity based in Chicago, Jeff had a successful international business development position that took him to Singapore, China, Malaysia and Australia.  Jeff and Nicky spent 3 years building an office in Sydney Australia developing lasting friendships that would continue on.

All the while Jeff and Nicky had in their heart to get into the missionary field to spread the truth of Jesus' story. They were called to Africa Wa Yesu, where Rodney and Ellie Hein would entrust a Mozambique region to Jeff and Nicky.  Starting under a single cashew tree they grew a 5 acre campus that made up a school of ministry, and vocational school. For twenty years Jeff and Nicky successfully spread the Word of God and made lifelong relationships with the people of Mozambique.  They trained up leaders in the ministry to go out into the villages and the bush, to bring life and salvation. 

In 2019, there was a pull in their hearts to come back to their family, they returned to the US to reside in Loveland, CO., where backpacking, fly fishing, camping, and stateside adventures were top of the list.  Jeff will always be remembered as a faithful servant, loving father and husband, brother, spectacular grandpa and great grandpa, friend, international businessman, missionary, philanthropist, scientist, teacher, coach, mentor, guitar player, and great adventurer.  You were loved by all of the world! 

Jeff is survived by his wife, Nicky Reetz, brother David (and Glo) Reetz, son Clint (and Crystal) Reetz, son Jes Reetz, daughter Shauna Reetz, 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Jeff's Celebration of Life Open House will be this Saturday, April 27 from 11am - 2pm. Please reach out to the family for location information.

Jeff's Celebration of Life will be Saturday, May 4 at Evangelical Free Church, 2763 11th Avenue, Sidney, NE 69162. The service will begin at 10:30am. Friends and family are welcome to join us for lunch immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Reetz International Ministries. All donations will go directly to Africa Wa Yesu in Mozambique. Please contact the family for donation information.