Doris M. Reed
Doris M. Reed, 93, went to be with the Lord on December 20, 2009. She was born on October 22, 1916, in Freeport, IL to Herman Jr. and Emma (Zimmerman) Opel; the 4th of their 5 children.
Through a mutual friend, Doris met Karl V. Reed and they were married on June 1, 1940. Karl preceded her in death on October 20, 1969. They had 3 children: Karlyn (Alexander) Jacobs of River Forest, Raymond (Melody) Reed of Waukesha, WI. and John (Karen) Reed of Lena.
Doris taught her daughter how to sew and bake in 4-H, was a den mother to her son Raymond in the Cub Scouts and enjoyed going to her son John's track meets. She was a life long member of Second Presbyterian Church in Freeport where she served as a deaconess and whose congregation she thought of as her "second" family. She was blessed with many wonderful friends throughout her life; some of whom she has known since early childhood growing up on Illinois Street and attending Center Street Grade School.
While raising her family, Doris worked at various part-time jobs, and after her husband's passing, she worked full time at Micro Switch until her retirement. She delivered Meals on Wheels for 17 years until age 88.
Doris always found great delight in nature: the brilliant colors of trees in autumn, the full moon brightly lighting her snow covered backyard one Christmas Eve, and the glorious rhododendron growing wild in the Smoky Mountains. She loved Krape Park and the summer band concerts, especially the concerts of patriotic music around the 4th of July.
She loved to play board games and cards with her grandchildren, enjoyed taking bus trips to different parts of the country, and delighted in the company of her card-club girlfriends.
Doris is survived by her children, her grandchildren, Michael (Donna) Reed, Michelle (John) Dempsey, Melinda (Anthony) Davis, Mandy (Thomas) Morris, Timothy (Jennifer) Reed, Sarah (Chad) Siefken and Melissa Reed; and her great grandchildren; Stephanie, Alicia, Samantha, Emma, Austin, Caroline, Erin and Evelyn.
Doris is also survived by her sister, Arlene (Richard) Schofield of Rockford.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Arthur Opel and sisters Margaret Myers and Wilma Schultz.
The funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23, at Walker Mortuary with Pastor Kathleen Luke of 1st Presbyterian church officiating. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport.
There will be no visitation.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in her name.