LaWayne Reil

LaWayne Neil Reil of Corona, SD, and Missoula, MT, was born January 18, 1950, in Ortonville, MN, to Roland and Caroline (Gerdes) Reil. He grew up on the family farm in Corona. He was the second oldest of 6 kids. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran in Corona. He attended a one-room schoolhouse, and he would tell you he had to walk up hill, both ways, for 1 mile across the field in 2 feet of snow with bread sacks on his feet. He attended high school in Corona where his practical jokes often got him trouble, including an incident that blew up a toilet. He graduated in 1968. That same year he married his high school sweetheart, Carol Kasuske. They had their daughter Jodie in 1970 and son Christopher in 1973.

He joined the Army National Guards in 1969, where he specialized in truck driving. In 1972, during summer training in the Black Hills, the Rapid City flood happened.  Lawayne and his company were called to duty and the truck he was in got washed away while on a bridge. Through his strength and determination, he was able to grab onto a tree, climb it and tie himself to it with his belt. He was considered missing in action and presumed dead. They found him three days later, dehydrated, exhausted and his entire body pruney. For that he received the South Dakota Medal of Valor. He was honorably discharged in 1975. 

After the flood he started driving milk truck locally, and in 1978 he bought his first semi and went over the road long haul trucking. A career he loved dearly and shaped everything in his life. While on the road in 1983 he met his second wife Jackie, they married in 1984 and lived in Montana. With that union he gained his daughter Jamie. In 1985 they had their son Josh and in 1987 they had their son Jared. 

LaWayne continued trucking his entire life, through that he gained many lifelong friends. His stops were often filled with visits with friends and family from all over the country. In his later years he took the winter off and took on the important duty of being jolly Ol’St. Nick. Even when he wasn’t dressed up little kids would refer to him as Santa. 

His sense of humor only grew as life went on. He was known by all for his wit and Reil logic. Even his grandkids were always prepared for what was to come out of his mouth. His children and grandchildren were the light of his life, and he enjoyed spending time with them and teaching them everything he could, good and bad. 

LaWayne took his final trip on Wednesday April 3, 2024. Like always, he knew exactly where he was going. 

Roll on 18-wheeler, roll on.

He is survived by his children: Jodie Reil of Fargo, ND; Chris (Tanya) Reil of Milbank, SD; Jamie (Jack) Sievers of Arlee, MT; Josh (Amanda) Reil of Missoula, MT; Jared (Bethanni) Reil of Missoula, MT; siblings: Rodney Reil of Milbank, SD; Dennis (Karen) Reil of Beloit, WI; Tim Reil of Jacksonville, FL; Kimberly (Reil) Burke of Ogden, KS; grandchildren: Derek (Amanda) Reil, Kristie (Kevin) VanHout, Ryker (Jessica) Reil,Trey Reil, Brylee Sievers, Maylee Sievers, Colt Sievers, Ryle Sievers, Elijah Martinez, Brooke Reil, Alison Reil, Karter Reil, Karson Reil, Korbyn Reil, Kaidyn Reil, Kenzie Reil; great grandchildren: Brock Thyne, Kobe VanHout, Kaia VanHout, Lola Reil, Cecelia Reil, and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Allen; grandson, Drake; and great-granddaughter, Kinley.