A Celebration of Life for Edwin “Ed” Reed of Harrison and Crawford, NE, will be held Sat, June 25, 2022 at 10:00 at the United Methodist Church in Crawford, officiated by Lami Oladejemi.
Interment is at the Crawford Cemetery, followed by a gathering for lunch in the church basement.
Memorials may be made to the Crawford Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, PO Box 184, Crawford, NE 69339 or Ponderosa Villa Nursing Home, 755 1st St, Crawford, NE 69339.
To leave condolences, add photos or videos, share stories, etc., go to www.sonoranskiesmortuaryaz.com.
Edwin Arlan Reed was born on March 25, 1948, in Omaha. NE, to Charles Bernard and Loretta Mae Bauersachs Reed. He passed away on June 25, 2021 at Mission Palms Acute Care Nursing Home in Mesa AZ, due to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases and associated heart disease.
As the one year anniversary of their loss approaches, Ed’s family is hosting the Celebration of Life to honor his love of life.
Ed grew up in Crawford and graduated from Crawford High School in 1966. He worked a number of jobs through his teen years, then was drafted into the Army in 1967. He served as a combat soldier in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969 before being honorably discharged in 1969.
Ed was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and was also a member of the American Legion Ferdinand Branstetter Post #1 in Van Tassel, WY.
Ed married Barbara Ellen Dawkins on October 19, 1970 in Chadron, NE. Two sons were born of this union; Jason Arlan (1974) and Tucker Tee (1977).
Ed was a butcher for many years and purchased a locker plant in Harrison NE in 1975, running it until he retired in 1999. He was also night watchman for Harrison for a number of years.
Ed and his family spent many autumns cutting and gathering wood for their wood stove, which turned out to be very enjoyable for them.
Ed’s health became a problem at the age of 37 when he had a major heart attack. He later had 2 bypass surgeries and suffered a broken hand in a motorcycle accident.
Ed totaled 3 vehicles in his younger days, and even though he suffered from PTSD, TBI, degenerative heart disease, hearing problems, depression, and anxiety over the years, he was still able to meet people easily and continued to be a social butterfly.
His favorite pastime in his 60’s was attending coffee hour at cafes and BS’ing with friends and neighbors. Ed never met a stranger.
Eddy loved taking care of his yard in the spring and summer, and snow blowing in the winter. His yard was his pride and joy, even though he never won the yard of the week award in Harrison.
Ed enjoyed woodworking; using the sander, table saw, band saw, and router to make small items and he used similar tools when he and his family & friends remodeled his home.
His lifelong passion was riding and working on his motorcycles. Eddy loved riding anywhere, anytime and riding through the Black Hills with Barbara, his sons, family and friends.
Ed and Barbara were snowbirds for the winter in Mesa, AZ, the last two years, but Ed still missed his snow blowing time.
They were in Mesa when Ed’s health declined. Barbara took care of him at home for several months until the VA doctors affirmed it imperative that he be placed in advanced care and then hospice.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Bernard Reed and Loretta Mae Reed and his brother-in-law, Henry Hourt.
He is survived by his wife Barbara Dawkins Reed, Harrison NE, sons, Jason (Colleen and son, Jason II) Reed of Harrison, NE; Tucker (Jessica and daughters, Gabrielle and Grayce) Reed of Flagstaff, AZ,; siblings, Jerry (Barbara) Reed, Chadron, NE, Jolene (Henry) Hourt, Taylorsville, UT, Darlene (Danny) Publow, Valentine NE, Eugene (Teri Lynn) Reed, Norfolk, NE., as well as numerous, cousins, nieces, nephews and their families.
Ed held his brothers and sisters close to his heart through the years and spent as much time as he could with all of them. Eddy reminisced at length about what he felt was special about each of them during his last season. Know you were loved!
Thank you to the VA in Hot Springs, SD, and VA Phoenix and Southwest Clinics, Mesa Fire & Rescue Department, Mission Palms Post-Acute Care in Mesa and Emblem Hospice in Chandler, AZ.
Also, thank you family, Valle del Oro Resort friends and neighbors (Best Ever) for your encouragement and continued support during Eddy’s struggle with declining health issues.
Sonoran Skies Mortuary of Mesa, AZ, is in charge of his arrangements.