A visitation and celebration of life for Mary Margaret Reed, 83, of Spirit Lake, Iowa, will be on Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 1:00-4:00pm, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. A private family burial will take place at Fairview Memorial Park Cemetery in Fairmont, MN. Mary passed away at her residence in Spirit Lake on May 30, 2023.
Mary was born April 2, 1940, in Beaver Dam, WI,to Dwight U’Ren and Evelyn (Delzer) U’Ren. She graduated from Fairmont High School in 1958. Among her many academic accolades, she had the honor of being the first student in the American Field Service (AFS) program where she studied in Germany for six months.
After high school, Mary attended The University of Miami (Florida) for two years before transferring to Drake University to be near her future husband,Wally Reed. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education and began working as an elementary school teacher in Windsor Heights, Iowa.
On June 24, 1961, Mary wed the love of her life, Wally Reed,at the United Methodist Church in Fairmont, Minnesota. From this union they had two children, Scott and Marylee. In 1965, she returned to Fairmont to continue her career at William Budd Elementary.
Mary was passionate about antiques, and while in Fairmont, she started Red Apple Antiques with close friend Carolyn Seidel. As her business grew, Wally and Mary started the Spirit Lake Antique Mall with friends Norm and Nelda Meinking. In 1991, Wally and Mary purchased a cottage on Big Spirit Lake that is still a cherished family vacation spot. In 1999,they became year-round residents of Spirit Lake and truly enjoyed all the Iowa Great Lakes has to offer.
Mary was active in many philanthropic and social organizations during her lifetime. She was proud to be a member of the Fairmont Hospital Auxiliary, Questers, Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) and American Association of University Women (AAUW). She was integral to the preservation of the Chain of Lakes Yacht Club and instrumental in the foundation of the Fairmont Opera House. In Spirit Lake, she supported the Save the Park and Sustain the Park campaigns, Spirit Lake Protective Association, Dickinson County Trails and Spirit Lake Music Boosters. Mary enjoyed all facets of the antique business, but specialized in quilts and textiles. She attended and exhibited at many antique shows across the Midwest with her good friend Ida Rae Roessler. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with family and her many friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband and parents. She is survived by her son,Scott (Erin) Reed; daughter ,Marylee Reed (Derek Tugel);grandsons,Lance and Evan Reed;sister,Susan (Joe) Franjione; as well as nieces,Lisa Stapleton (Glenn Hausenfluke), Jennifer (Matt) Dooley, Jill (Che) Franjione Holt and many special friends.
Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to her family for distribution to Mary’s favorite charities and organizations. Mary’s family wishes to express their gratitude to those that cared for her and the acts of kindness shown to us in our time of sorrow.
Turner Jenness Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
