Byron Joy Reed, 1920-2008
REED, REHNSTROM, PINGEL, OLTHOFF, KRAEGER, TIBBETTS
Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 6/27/2013 at 18:33:56
Byron Joy Reed, the son of Charles Bernard and Dagmar Helen Heick Reed, was born March 2, 1920 on a farm five miles north of Peterson, Iowa. He lived in this general area all of his life. His childhood years were spent in Peterson, where he received his education in a country school and later graduating from Peterson High School in 1937. Byron entered the military on September 10, 1942 and proudly served with the Army Air Corps as a military bomber pilot in the S.W. Pacific Theatre during WWII, achieving the rank of 1st Lt. He returned home in August of 1945. He attended Iowa State for a short time, before returning to Peterson, where he began farming in the spring of 1946.
Byron married Marjorie Elaine Rehnstrom on September 28, 1947 at Riverside Presbyterian Church in Linn Grove, Iowa. He continued to farm all of his life and for the last 10 years before retiring 1986, he worked as a manager in the 1st State Bank in Linn Grove, Iowa. They were happy to adopt 3 children. Marjorie passed away on August 2, 1987.
Byron married Bonnie Pingel on January 7, 1989 in Peterson. He was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church in Peterson. Byron was also active in the Peterson community, involved with the American
Legion for 50 years, Lions Club for 50 years and served as President, Elevator Board for 12 years and helped build an office and annex during his term, Bank Board, Methodist Manor Board for 12 years and helped build a wing, the Masonic Lodge for 50 years, the L.G. Barber Shoppers for 20 years and was on the board of the College Apartments. He also enjoyed golfing in his spare time. Byron was a loving husband, father & grandfather. He put his family first and cherished the times he had with them. He was a caring man and a true gentleman.
Byron passed away at the Spencer Hospital on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at the age of 88. He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Bonnie of Peterson; two sons: Jon Reed and his wife, Gayle of Humboldt, IA and Douglas Reed and his wife, Dianna of Peterson, IA; one daughter, Mary Jo Olthoff and her husband, Michael of Storm Lake, IA; 6 grandchildren; four step children: Shamon & Ron Kraeger of Peterson, IA, Kevin and Barb Pingel of Alta, IA, Brent and Jan Pingel of Peterson, IA and Shayla and Don Tibbetts of Peterson, IA; 16 step grandchildren; 21 step great grandchildren; two brothers: Loren Reed of Spencer, Iowa and Rex Reed of Kinwah, SC; other relatives and many friends.
Source: Warner Funeral Home, Spencer, Iowa (http://warnerfuneralhome.com/).
Interment in Oakland cemetery
Clay Obituaries maintained by Kris Meyer.
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