Dorothy Elaine Reed

Dorothy Elaine Reed, 90, of Spencer Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, February 28, at Northshire Nursing Home in Spencer. Dorothy, only child of Fred and Ethel (McFarlane) Zwick, was born on August 25, 1921 on a farm east of Sutherland, Iowa. During her childhood she stayed with her grandparents, Henry and Sara McFarlane, in Peterson while she attended first through third grades in the Peterson School. Dorothy attended country school in Waterman Township from fourth through eighth grades, and then attended high school in Peterson, where she graduated in 1939. Dorothy married her high school sweetheart, Loren Reed, on June 12, 1940 in Hawarden, Iowa. Loren and Dorothy began their married life on a farm four miles north of Peterson. A son, Joel Dean Reed was born May 21, 1943, and a daughter, Susan Lynn Reed was born July 27, 1948. In 1953 Loren and Dorothy purchased a farm one mile north of Peterson and lived there nine years. Loren became an underwriter for Grinnell Reinsurance Company and, after three years in that capacity, he purchased the John Scott Insurance Agency in Peterson (which became Reed Insurance Agency) leading Loren and Dorothy to move into Peterson in 1962. In 1977 Loren became the manager for Clay Mutual Insurance Company in Spencer, and they moved to Spencer, where they have resided ever since. Dorothy and Loren also spent fourteen winters in Sun City, Arizona, which brought many new friends and neighbors, and resulted in fond memories. Dorothy was a long-time member of the Methodist Church, taught Sunday School, sang in the church choir, held numerous offices in the United Methodist Women and hosted many Methodist Youth Fellowship meetings in the Reed home for many years. She belonged to Tuesday Club, Martha Circle, R.S.V.P. and was a 50-year member of the O.A.O (Our Afternoon Out) Club. While living in Peterson, she worked for Dr. Bill Safley and at the Fastenow Hardware. Even though Dorothy was an only child, she had a wonderful way with children. She was a great mom who always supported her children in everything they did and inspired them to be the best they could be. She was always willing to make costumes, bake goodies or chaperone school trips and attended every event in which her children participated. She made the Reed home the place that all the neighborhood children wanted to go. Dorothy had the unique talent of gathering young people around her, all of whom she greatly enjoyed over the years. She always looked forward to their calls and visits. Ron and Shamon Krager, Birney and Gloria Terrell, Jim and Linda Casey, Claude and Nancy Struve, Mike and Gloria Schmellen were very special to Dorothy and have been a great comfort to her in many ways. When Loren and Dorothy moved to Spencer in 1977, they gained an extended family in their next-door neighbors, Dave and Connie Severson and their children Deb and Mike. They were always there through good times or bad and have been a great blessing. Granddaughters, Chylynn Carlisle, born in 1978 and Sheena Carlisle, born in 1985, brought much happiness to Loren and Dorothy. Sheena married Billy Thomas in 2007, a great addition to the family. Tasha, the familys miniature white poodle, also brought her much happiness. Dorothy enjoyed her children, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors, as well as art, knitting, crocheting, cross-stitching, quilting, puzzles, and flowers. Left to cherish Dorothys memory are Loren, her loving husband of 71 years; son Joel and his wife Diane of Las Vegas, Nevada; daughter Susan Carlisle and husband David of Sioux Falls, SD; granddaughters Chylynn Carlisle of Grand Prairie, Texas and Sheena Thomas and husband Billy of Sioux Falls; cousin Jerry Kracht of Sammamish, Washington, numerous extended family members, and a host of friends of all ages. Dorothy was preceeded in death by her parents, Fred and Ethel Zwick, and her father and mother -in-law, C.B. and Dagmar Reed.

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