Peter Reque, 80

Peter Richard Reque, 80, Alexandria, died December 18, 2009 at St. Cloud Hospital.
Peter was born February 21, 1929 in Graceville to the Rev. Paul S. and Amanda (Holvick) Reque. He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton, where he lived until 1939. He was confirmed at Orfordville Lutheran Church in Wisconsin in 1943. He attended school in Orfordville until his senior year when he moved with his family to Redwood Falls, where he graduated from high school in 1947. Following graduation, he attended and graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa in 1951.
On June 12, 1954, Peter married Beverly Solvie at Cyrus Lutheran Church in Cyrus. They made their first home in Manistique, Michigan.
In the spring of 1955, Peter and Bev built an A&W Root Beer stand, which they operated in the summers until 1962 when they sold it to devote more time to their small children, whom they adopted in 1961 and 1962.
Peter received his master of science degree from St. Cloud State in 1964 and a post graduate degree in environmental education from Mankato State in 1965.
Peter taught in the public schools in Gilby, North Dakota, in the Cooks area schools in Michigan and Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, before coming to Alexandria in the fall of 1959. He was a junior high science instructor for 28 years in Alexandria when he retired in 1987. Peter enjoyed his many years working with students and in later years acting as landlord to area Tech boys.

(Editor's note: Many "Class of 65ers" learned seventh grade science from Pete Reque. He taught at Central High in the science room just across the hall from Miss Dahl, in the southwest corner. He also taught a class or two in the science room in the old part of the school, in the northeast corner. The two classrooms were as far from each other as you can get, and Mr. Reque would walk between them with his peculiar gait. He'd been in a motorcycle accident, we were told. He was a wonderful teacher and fondly remembered and respected by many. Did not know until today that he was a preacher's kid. Photo at right is as we remember him, from the 1960 Central Junior Hi-Lites.)
After retirement from teaching, Peter began a business, Viking Microscope Service, which took them visiting schools in Minnesota during summers to repair microscopes.
During his career, he was president of the local teachers association and served on a board of the Minnesota Education Association for selection of funding for science education. He traveled for the National Educational Office in evaluating teaching programs for colleges and universities throughout the United States. Peter was president of the Alexandria Area Retired Educators.
He was actively involved with First Lutheran Church since 1959. He served as a Sunday school teacher, choir member and on an education committee.
Pete is survived by his wife, Beverly, of Alexandria; son, David Allen Reque of Farwell; daughter, Diane Reque (Eric) Storvick of Mankato; five grandsons, Kyle Reque of Hoffman; Kasey Reque of Kensington and Anders, Peder and Kai Storvick of Mankato; and two great-grandsons, Kaleb Peter Burkey-Reque and Kaiden Gene Reque. He is also survived by two sisters, Torry (Bill) Henderson of Des Moines, Iowa and Marita (Paul) Duckstad of Redwood Falls; two sisters-in-law, Sylvia Reque of Walker and Bobbie Jo Solvie of Morris; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Peter was preceded in death by his parents, the Rev. Paul and Amanda Reque; brother, Dr. David G. Reque; grandparents, the Rev. Lauritz and Thora Reque, Rachel Holvick; father and mother-in-law, Raymond and Marion Solvie; and one brother-in-law, Duane A. Solvie.
Funeral services were held December 22 at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria with the Rev. John Peshek officiating. Inurnment was at Cyrus South Cemetery of rural Cyrus. Casket bearers were Peter’s grandsons and his great-grandsons.
Memorials are preferred to the Jefferson High School Recognition Fund.