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.
Condolences(10)
Judy & Richard Williams
Grinnell, IA Tuesday, April 28, 2009 In 1969 Mercedes took two fresh-out-of-college, greenhorn teachers under her wing at FHS. Dick taught Math with her; Judy was co-Pep Club Sponsor with her. She rode to all the basketball games with us, we enjoyed her beautiful flower garden the Summers we lived in Fremont, and mourned with her when she lost one of her beloved bulldogs. Even though we were only at FHS two years, and moved out-of-state, we exchanged Christmas gifts and letters with Mercedes for the next nearly 40 years! Now that's a friendship and what a dear friend she was. She was a great lady and one that will be greatly missed.Marilyn Way
Twin Falls, Id Wednesday, January 28, 2009 Ms.Reed was a memorable influence in my life. She was my PE and Drivers Ed teacher. She also lived close to my parents and was active in Flower Club. When I viseted Fremont it was a must to go visit her beautiful flowers she raised so effertlessly. I remember her using this little short handled hoe, chopping a little hole in the ground,stickiing some flower start in and magic it grew and bloomed.There were her precious little bull dogs that were most special to her. I know she left a positive mark on many students.Diane Davis Jelkin
Lincoln, NE Wednesday, January 21, 2009 Our family met Mercedes many years ago on her trip to Hawaii. She was so much fun to be around. We learned early on that she was from Fremont and that is what we would always call her. She wasn't Mercedes to us... she was "Fremont." We also learned of her love for Boston Terriers, as we had one also. Once you met her, she was your friend. She would write my mother every year and my mother always looked forward to her letters. I am sure Mercedes will be missed by many. Cherish the memories.Carol Brandert
Salina, KS Saturday, January 17, 2009 Mercedes was my high school p.e. teacher and the G.A.A. sponsor at Fremont High in the late 50s. After my graduation from Midland, I taught English at the high school and had the opportunity to know Mercedes as fellow teacher and friend. I remember her love for her little dogs--Bostons, I believe. Because she lived so close to the school, she left every noon to let them out to, as she said, release their "little cigars." Mercedes was a an enjoyable associate, good-natured and fun to be around. I hope her last years were gracious. My sympathy to her family. Sincerely, CarolCarol Brandert
Salina, KS Saturday, January 17, 2009Jacklynn Petersen
Mead, NE Friday, January 16, 2009 I was fortunate to get to know Mercedes when she lived at Nye Square in Fremont. I work there part time in the activity department. I am collecting historical information on the Nebraska Ordnance Plant that was located near Mead during WWII. Mercedes had worked there and was kind enough to let me tape an interview with her about that experience. I have the tape and hope it will be part of a collection of tapes and memorabilia at the Mead library. Mercedes always remembered me with her Swedish nuts at Christmas and even gave me her recipe. I will always think of her as I make them each year. She was a very interesting person and we always enjoyed visiting. She will be missed and remembered. My sincere sympathy.Sharon Henderson Bassarab
Woodbridge, VA Thursday, January 15, 2009 I have nothing but fond memories of Ms. Reed she was a wonderful teacher, who cntributed so much to her students and the school system as well as the community at large.June Westphal
Fremont, NE Tuesday, January 13, 2009 I am truly sorry for your loss. I had Miss Reed for my 10th grade Geometry class at FHS. I really didn't care much for math but she made it possible for me to see math in a new light. I actually ended up enjoying the class. I continue to this day using the tecniques she taught me with my nursing and drug dosages. She was exceptional at teaching. Please accept my deepest sympathy.Sharon Mack Peterson
Phoenix, AZ Tuesday, January 13, 2009 What a dear and amazing person! 'Miss Reed' was my 'gym' teacher in 9th grade~ my first year of sports~ since I came from a 'country school'.Nancy (Nicholson) Hopp
Lincoln, NE Tuesday, January 13, 2009 I'm so very sorry for your loss. Miss Reed was my sophomore Geometry teacher at Fremont High. She also was a driver's ed teacher the summer I took it. I have a lot of memories of her. I also saw her regularly at church. She was truly one of the good ones. Please accept my deepest sympathy.