Luella "Lue" Verba Berniece Reed

Luella "Lue" Verba Berniece (Kracht) Reed, the daughter of George and Lulu (Tigges) Kracht was born on May 21, 1936 on the family farm south of Peterson, IA. Her early years were spent on the family farm. She graduated from high school at the Brooke school, where she enjoyed playing the clarinet and competing on the basketball team with her sisters. After high school, she worked in a store in Peterson.

Lue married Jim Reed on June 1, 1958 south of Peterson, Iowa at St. John's Church and they lived in Peterson. While he worked in the Spencer Job Service office, she raised the five children. When he was promoted to manager of the Spencer Job Service, they and their family moved to Spencer in 1970. Once their children started leaving home for college and their own lives, Luella helped out at the Job Service typing and administering tests to applicants. She also volunteered nearly full time for many years, eventually earning a volunteerism award from the state of Iowa, which was presented to her by Governor Terry Branstad.

Like Jim, Lue was an active member of the Iowa Great Lakes Antique Auto Club and helped displaying the club's cars for many years at the Clay County Fair. She enjoyed cooking and baking, crocheting, jigsaw puzzles, growing and admiring flowers, particularly orchids, and writing letters and Christmas cards to her many family members. She also enjoyed numerous sports, such as high school sports, gymnastics, baseball, softball, and football and listening to the Statler Brothers. She could frequently be found crafting things like May Day baskets for the church and she had a deep love of family. She and Jim took many trips to visit their children and grandchildren.

She was well known in her neighborhood for her Christmas ornament collection. For most of the winter, 600+ Christmas balls would hang on chains decorating her living room; keeping the season merry and bright.

Luella passed away on March 24, 2025 at the Trinity Care Center in Farmington, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, seven of her eight siblings, and one son, Mark Reed. Left to cherish her memory are her children: Don (Gay) Reed of Mantorville, MN, Roger (Cherri) Reed of Pierre, SD, Sue Reed of LeMars, IA, Aaron (Lauri) Reed of Cary, NC, and Beth (Brian) Stember of Farmington, MN; 9 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; one sister, Jean Saunders of Peterson, IA; one sister-in-law, Rosie(George) Weber of Wake Forest, NC and many relatives and friends.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to Jodi Montgomery who looked in on Lue, and whose friendship and assistance allowed Lue to remain in her home for a number of years after her medical difficulties began.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Spencer Meals on Wheels.