1925 – Theola B. Reese – 2016
Theola B. Reese was born on June 30, 1925, in Tyler, Minnesota, to Margret (Nelson) and Ole K. Larson. She grew up on a farm near Ruthton, Minnesota. She was Baptized and Confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in Ruthton. Theola graduated from Ruthton High School Class of ’42 and Montevideo Teacher Training School in 1943. She taught country school from 1943-1955. When the Lake Wilson School District consolidated, she became the Secretary to the Superintendent of Lake Wilson Public School District 44/503. She married Elmer (Swede) H. Reese of Woodstock, Minnesota, at Peace Lutheran Church on August 25, 1946. They made their home in Lake Wilson, Minnesota where she was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and served as the organist/pianist from 1955-1972, a Sunday School Teacher, a member of the Education Committee and Ladies Aid. She enjoyed the Lake Wilson Study Club and volunteering as a Girl Scout Leader as well as serving on the Board of the Peacepipe Girl Scout Council. In 1972, she and Elmer relocated to Eustis, Florida, where they joined Faith Lutheran Church; she became the Church School Secretary and served for 12 years. Upon retirement in 1987, they moved to Creston, Ohio, where they became members of Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Seville, Ohio. She played piano, hand bells, quilted and volunteered at church. She was active in the Valparaiso University Guild. In 2012, she moved to Westwood Place Independent Living for Seniors in Strongsville Ohio. She enjoyed all the social activities, including Spanish Class, Bible Study, Bingo, bus trips and meeting new friends. She continued to send text messages on her iPhone and e-mails on her computer to family and friends at age 91. In addition to spending time with her family, teaching in a one room country schoolhouse in various districts in the Lake Wilson area was her pride and joy. She loved sharing stories of the classes and events at the schools. Theola passed away on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 at Hospice of Medina County Residence Home, Medina OH at the age of 91 years.
Left to honor and miss her are: one daughter Judy and husband Harold (JR) Grove, Strongsville OH; two grandchildren and their spouses: Pamela and Mike Sneath, Stafford, VA; Douglas and Janet Grove, Fernandina Beach, FL. Two great grandchildren: Abigail Sneath and Joshua Sneath. One brother-in-law Berle Boese, Slayton MN; three sisters-in-law: Frances Reese, Colorado Springs CO and Florence Reese, LaJunta, CO, Deborah Reese, Altamonte Springs, FL; 25 nieces and nephews; and friends in many locations. To welcome her home are her husband Elmer; her parents; two brothers: Walter and Nelvin Larson; two sisters: Luella Rupp and Hilda Larson; four brothers-in-law: Marvin, Wilfred and Maynard Reese, Marvin Rupp; four sisters- in- law: Donna Boese, Betty Reese, Dorothy Larson and Gertrude Heidebrink; five nieces and nephews.
On Saturday, October 8, 2016, interment will be in Woodstock Cemetery, Woodstock, MN at 10:00 a.m. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lake Wilson, MN at 11:00 a.m. Memorials may be sent to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 450 Carrie Avenue, Lake Wilson, MN 56151. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com
