Eva Dell Reese
Obituary
NEWTON — Eva Dell Reese, 85, of Newton, died on Tuesday
(June 5, 2012) at the Halstead Health and Rehab Center in Halstead.
Eva was born on Oct. 29, 1926, near Ellington, Mo., to
Rowland A. and Esther B. Davis. Both were native Kansans. She was the eldest of
seven children. The family moved back to Kansas near Whitewater and Kechi in
about 1930. During the depression, they moved to the Coffeyville area.
Eva Dell attended schools at Kechi and Coffeyville. She
graduated from Coffeyville Lutheran Grade School, Coffeyville High School and
in 1945 from Coffeyville Junior College. She taught in rural schools in Kansas
and Oklahoma and attended college at Central State University in Edmond, Okla.
She married Elmer A. Reese on May 25, 1951, in Independence.
She and Elmer and their son, Stephen, moved to Wichita in 1959. There she
taught at Bethany Lutheran School. Her master’s degree came from Emporia State
Teacher’s College in special education, and she began teaching in that field in
the Burrton and Haven school districts while residing in Mt. Hope.
Her husband, a veteran, cattleman and cowboy died in 1983.
Shortly afterwards, she moved to Newton. She has been a member of Zion Lutheran
Church and a Sunday school teacher almost every Sunday since then.
Mrs. Reese was a long-time member of the following
organizations: Retired Teachers’ Association, Women’s Relief Corps, World War I
Veterans’ Auxiliary and a Girl Scout leader.
She rode in the annual bike run for the Multiple Sclerosis
Association for many, many years. She was featured on the front page of the
Newton Kansan at age 75 for the distinction of being the oldest rider to
complete the 50 mile ride.
She is survived by her son, Stephen and wife, Rene of
Cheyenne, Wyo.; five grandchildren, Chris Reese and wife, Larinda of Casper,
Wyo., and Tisha Reese of Cheyenne, Stephen Moore, Shawn Moore and wife, Penny,
and Sumer Diggs, all of Hutchinson; and there are six great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Reese also is survived by three sisters, Carrol
Flickinger and Larry, Leila Dalke and Herrman, all from Burton, and Joyce
Flickinger from Newton.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and
three brothers, Rowland Davis of Petal, Miss., Don Davis of Grove, Okla., and
Joe Davis of Lindsborg.
Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. today (June 8, 2012) at
Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday (June 9,
2012) at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in Haven. A memorial service will
be at 3 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 225 S. Poplar in Newton, with the Rev.
Aaron Filipek presiding. A fellowship time will follow.
A memorial has been established with the Lutheran Hour
Ministries or to Central Kansas Multiple Sclerosis Society. Contributions may
be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.
Condolences may be left at www.broadwaycolonialfh.com.
Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home.
1926 - 2012 (85 years)