Theresa Ann Reeder, 67
Theresa Ann Reeder, 67, of Montgomery, died Sunday Jan. 23, 2005 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
She was born October 10, 1937 and raised in rural Northfield, the fourth child of Helen and Ed Kalina. She attended a rural school in Dakota County and Northfield Public School, and graduated in 1955 from Bethlehem Academy in Faribault.
Theresa married John R. Bob Reeder the following year at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lonsdale.
She helped run her family’s dairy farm for 32 years, played an active role in local politics and worked several part-time jobs. She held positions in the office of the deputy registrar for Le Sueur County and in the Montgomery-Lonsdale High School guidance counselor’s office.
She ran a licensed beekeeping business and sold honey for more than a decade. An avid sewer, she made clothing for her family, and sewed gym bags for Montgomery-Lonsdale girl’s basketball team and costumes for school plays.
Theresa was a longtime leader of local 4-H clubs, and active in a county extension group called The Baker’s Dozen.
Theresa and her husband had a keen interest in conservation, and won numerous awards for farming practices that protected the environment.
Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when she was in her 40s, Theresa was active in the Minnesota Multiple Sclerosis Achievement Center and state Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Theresa is survived by her husband, Bob; children Mary Kay (John) Keegan, Henry, IL, Maureen H. Reeder (Glenn Kelley), Prior Lake, John E. (Carol) Reeder, Washington, DC, James M. (Mindy) Reeder and Melissa A. Reeder (John Hahn), Montgomery, Joseph J. Reeder, Jordan; her siblings, Edward (Joanne) Kalina, Rita Mach, Helen (Milo) Edel, Joseph Kalina, and Mary Ann (Larry) Smisek; and 10 grandchildren.
Visitation was held Wednesday, Jan. 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Keohen Memorial Funeral Home. A Mass of Resurrection will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Canice Catholic Church in Kilkenny, with a viewing starting one hour before services.
Interment will be at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Montgomery Township.
Memorials may be given in the name of Theresa Reeder to: National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Minnesota Chapter, 200 12th Ave. South Minneapolis, MN 55415-1255.
