Obituary for David E. Reed
David Eugene Reed, age 82, of Janesville, WI, passed away Saturday, February 6, 2016, after a courageous battle with cancer. David was born December 15, 1933, in Prairie du Chien, WI, to Claire Alton and Hazel Marie (Stender) Reed. David had a very strong work ethic, working in the tobacco fields when he was eleven years old, mowing lawns, shoveling snow, shining shoes, working in a pool hall, bowling alley, sand mines, road construction, glass company and his family's meat market, all at a young age. He moved to Janesville in 1954, after his first marriage to Winonna Arlene Goodrich, to work at the General Motors plant. He retired as a material checker on January 1, 1989, after 34 years of employment. David married Anna lsabel Anderson Dempski on August 20, 1983, at Cargill United Methodist Church in Janesville. David was a top-notch bowler before hurting his back, an excellent pool player, playing pool at The Gathering Place in Milton and competing in 8-Ball tournaments at the Janesville Senior Center, winning many trophies and medals. He also played dartball and shuffleboard, doing well at everything he competed in. He won eight first place medals eight years in a row at the Wisconsin Senior Games in Madison, the most ever achieved in his age group. David loved tending to his and Anne's flower garden and yard, and was generous in sharing seeds and plants for others to enjoy. Many people stopped by their house for a private tour and they were also participants in the Janesville Rotary Garden Walk. David was diligent about filling up the array of bird feeders in their yard which attracted many different varieties of birds for his beloved cats to watch. These included Lady Fur Elise, Missy and Callie. He was also a voracious reader. David loved Christmas, listening to Christmas music and watching Christmas movies, starting in July. He knew how to keep Christmas in his heart the whole year through and with his white beard even looked like Santa Claus. Survivors include his wife, Anne Reed of Janesville; Dave and Anne's combined family of seven children: Steven (Karen) Reed, Milton, WI; Michael (Diana) Reed, Naples, FL; Debra (Jeffrey) Horn, Appleton, WI; Jeffrey (Gloria) Reed, Janesville; Mitchell Dempski, Milton, WI; Kip Dempski, Wind Lake, WI; and Angie (Jerry) Ott, Madison, WI; ten grandchildren: Kyle (Jessica) Reed, Chris (Jenny) Reed, Jenny (Scott) Martin, Tara (Justin) Ticknor, Christa (Andy) Kunz, Jacinda (D.J.Freitag) Cole, Jonathan Horn, Trista (Andy Klund) Reed, Nick Reed, Clarissa (Devon Russ) Reed; sixteen great-grandchildren; four sisters: Elizabeth deLorimier, Janesville; Frances (Peter) Dohse, Prairie du Chien; Lois Lucas, Newcastle, WY; June (Bill) Linzenmeyer, Mayville, WI; and one half-brother, Delbert (Jean) Cota, Allenton, FL. In addition to his parents, Dave was predeceased by his sister Beverly Daniels, half-sister Cheri Cota and half-brother James Cota. A Celebration of David's life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 13, 2016, at Janesville Moose Lodge 197, 2701 W. Rockport Rd., with family friend Don Allison delivering the eulogy at 11:45 a.m. Luncheon will follow. A Memorial Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, February 12, 2016, at Hansen Funeral Home, 211 South Main St., Janesville. Final resting place will be Milton Lawns Memorial Park, Janesville. Memorials may be made to Agrace Hospice, The Gathering Place or Moose Lodge 197. Hansen Funeral Home, Janesville, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.hansenfh.com The family wishes to thank the entire staff at Agrace Hospice for such wonderful care and compassion, as well as St. Mary's/Dean Oncology staff for their kind treatment and concern. "You will be deeply missed, especially your wonderful unique sense of humor. We love you and will never forget you."
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Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
12
Feb
4:00 PM
- 6:00 PM
Hansen Funeral Home
0
, 00 00000
Service
Saturday
13
Feb
11:00 AM
Moose Lodge 197
2701 West Rockport Road
Janesville, WI 53548
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