Mercedes L. Reed
January 10, 2009
Mercedes was born July 8, 1909 on a Wayne County, Nebraska farm to Irve and Pearl (Albright) Reed. She grew up on the farm, without electricity, telephone, or indoor plumbing. She began school at 4 years of age,
graduated from country school district 48, and graduated from Wayne High School at age 15. Later, she earned her teacher's certificate and began teaching in Ponca. Then she moved from a rural school west of her farm home to another rural school south of Wayne for a year. She taught 4 years at Emerson, while attending the University of Washington working on her Master's degree during the summers. This was followed by 4 years in Allen, being the principal and teaching. She taught briefly in Valley before going to work in the Mead Ordnance Plant in Mead, NE.
In 1943, Fremont's superintendent of school's, John G. Hansen, got Mercedes started teaching in Fremont, and she completed 31 years in Fremont's schools. Among her teaching assignments, were physical education, driver's education for 19 years, and math. She retired in 1975. In her early years in Fremont she also was the Director of the Parks and Recreation playgrounds.
Mercedes travel extensively. She has been in most of the states, also Cuba, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji Islands, Mexico, Canada, many European countries, and 5 World Fairs.
She always had a flower garden and belonged to a garden club for 35 years. She was a past president of the AAUW, belonged to and extension club, and Junior Women's Club. She was a member of ADK (teacher's sorority), and she was a bridge player. She was with the hospital auxiliary for 16 years, and in 1966 she was chosen as the 'Good Neighbor' of Fremont. She drove for Meals on Wheels for 18 years, and was a guide or gift store attendant at May Museum for 16 years and a hostess at the Art Building for several years. She had served as membership chairman of AARP, courtesy chairman for retired teachers. As a long time member of the First United Methodist Church in Fremont, she had been secretary of her church circle and co-chairman of the Worship Table for UMW (United Methodist Women).
Among the survivors are nephews and nieces, Gary and wife Marilynn Reed of Colby, Kansas, Nancy and husband Dewey Wheeler of Aurora, NE, Richard and wife Nancy Reed of Winside, NE, Jim and wife Sandy Reed of Pocatello, Idaho, Bob and wife Joan Reed of Pocatello, several great and great, great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by 2 brothers, a sister, and her parents.
In keeping with her wishes, there will not be a public visitation or service. The committal will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Wayne, Nebraska at a later date. Ludvigsen Mortuary, Fremont, is in charge of the arrangements.
Obituary Provided By:
1249 E. 23rd St.
Fremont, NE 68025
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