LENA - Claris A. Reed, age 67, passed away April 16, 2008 at her home. She was born January 20, 1941 in Orangeville, IL, to Clarence and Florence (Tipton) Wickler. She lived her entire life growing up in Lena.
On August 13, 1960 she and Gail Reed were married at St. Joseph Church in Lena. She was a Le-Win graduate class of 1959. She was baptized at St. Ann Catholic Church at an early age. She made her first communion and confirmation at St. Joseph Catholic Church and has been a member since.
In 1971, Claris and Gail purchased the former Albee schoolhouse where they raised their 8 children and worked hard side by side until Gail's sudden passing in 1987. In 1992, she moved into Lena, back into the house where she had grown up.
She retired from the Lena Nursing home in 2005 after 33 years as a CNA. She also worked 3 years at FHN. She currently worked at the Friendship Center in Lena. She was very passionate with the love and care she showered her clients with. Other memberships included the Lena Women's Club, Lena Friendship Club and the Historical Society. She was also a good friend of the Methodist Church helping them in any way she could and made a lot of wonderful friends. She also helped with Operation Good Fellow every December. She loved going to the grandkids sporting events and plays. She never missed a Special Olympics event her granddaughter was in. She loved to embroider and gave many of her handiwork to the grandkids to cherish. In 2003 she was able to fulfill a lifelong dream and went to England with her friend Dottie Lincoln. She fell in love with that country and planned on going back.
She is survived by her children, Debra Birchen, David (Linda Pandow), Donna, Dan, Duane (Tina) Reed, Dawn (Ron) Tomlinson, Denise (Jamie White) Reed, Dana Reed; grandchildren: Jami (Bob Kurth) Reed, Jennifer and Jeff Hand, Randy, Nicole, Samantha and Dylan Reed, Darlene Cobb, Danielle (Calvin Distelmeier) Cobb-Kady, Kari and Krissy Reed, Tyler and Sarkisian Havens, Zachary Reed and Mohammad Alzaidi, Jacob and Kelsey White, all in the area; six step-grandchildren, Jennifer, Amanda and Heather Birchen and Jessica, Trent and Katie White of AZ. Also five great-grandchildren: Preston Reed, Jeffrey Dean, Benjamin Ils, and babies Elaina Distlemeier, and Jada Reed; and two sisters, Carol (Henry) Saavedra and Diana (Kevin Ryan) Herrick. Also several nieces, nephews, cousins, her extended family in WI, and many friends and neighbors which she was very close to.
She was preceded by her parents; grandparents; husband; two grandsons, Ryan and Aaron in infancy; foster daughter, Connie; son-in-law, Jeffrey Birchen; brother-in-law, Ted Herrick; sister-in-law, Bev Reed; and nephew, Greg Salzwedel.
Visitation will be Friday, April 18, 2008 from 4 to 8 p.m., with a rosary service starting at 4 p.m. at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena.
Funeral services will be Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 10 a.m. at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lena.
Burial will take place at the St. Joseph's Cemetery in Lena.
A memorial fund has been established for the St. Jude's Research Hospital and/or Rock Vale Children's Home.
Friends may send a condolence to www.leamonfh.com.
On August 13, 1960 she and Gail Reed were married at St. Joseph Church in Lena. She was a Le-Win graduate class of 1959. She was baptized at St. Ann Catholic Church at an early age. She made her first communion and confirmation at St. Joseph Catholic Church and has been a member since.
In 1971, Claris and Gail purchased the former Albee schoolhouse where they raised their 8 children and worked hard side by side until Gail's sudden passing in 1987. In 1992, she moved into Lena, back into the house where she had grown up.
She retired from the Lena Nursing home in 2005 after 33 years as a CNA. She also worked 3 years at FHN. She currently worked at the Friendship Center in Lena. She was very passionate with the love and care she showered her clients with. Other memberships included the Lena Women's Club, Lena Friendship Club and the Historical Society. She was also a good friend of the Methodist Church helping them in any way she could and made a lot of wonderful friends. She also helped with Operation Good Fellow every December. She loved going to the grandkids sporting events and plays. She never missed a Special Olympics event her granddaughter was in. She loved to embroider and gave many of her handiwork to the grandkids to cherish. In 2003 she was able to fulfill a lifelong dream and went to England with her friend Dottie Lincoln. She fell in love with that country and planned on going back.
She is survived by her children, Debra Birchen, David (Linda Pandow), Donna, Dan, Duane (Tina) Reed, Dawn (Ron) Tomlinson, Denise (Jamie White) Reed, Dana Reed; grandchildren: Jami (Bob Kurth) Reed, Jennifer and Jeff Hand, Randy, Nicole, Samantha and Dylan Reed, Darlene Cobb, Danielle (Calvin Distelmeier) Cobb-Kady, Kari and Krissy Reed, Tyler and Sarkisian Havens, Zachary Reed and Mohammad Alzaidi, Jacob and Kelsey White, all in the area; six step-grandchildren, Jennifer, Amanda and Heather Birchen and Jessica, Trent and Katie White of AZ. Also five great-grandchildren: Preston Reed, Jeffrey Dean, Benjamin Ils, and babies Elaina Distlemeier, and Jada Reed; and two sisters, Carol (Henry) Saavedra and Diana (Kevin Ryan) Herrick. Also several nieces, nephews, cousins, her extended family in WI, and many friends and neighbors which she was very close to.
She was preceded by her parents; grandparents; husband; two grandsons, Ryan and Aaron in infancy; foster daughter, Connie; son-in-law, Jeffrey Birchen; brother-in-law, Ted Herrick; sister-in-law, Bev Reed; and nephew, Greg Salzwedel.
Visitation will be Friday, April 18, 2008 from 4 to 8 p.m., with a rosary service starting at 4 p.m. at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena.
Funeral services will be Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 10 a.m. at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lena.
Burial will take place at the St. Joseph's Cemetery in Lena.
A memorial fund has been established for the St. Jude's Research Hospital and/or Rock Vale Children's Home.
Friends may send a condolence to www.leamonfh.com.