Merna Mae Reed

Funeral services for Merna M. Reed, 79, will be held at 1:00 P.M. Fri., Jan 29, 2016, at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds Auditorium in Lusk, WY, with Pastor Mark Lohr officiating. She passed away Mon., Jan. 25, 2016 at Swedish Memorial Hospital in Englewood, Colo. A full obituary will be printed at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Bebe & Merna Reed Memorial, c/o Roxie Nelson, 3621 Hwy 20, Lusk, WY 82225.

Pier Funeral Home is assisting the family.

The Lusk Herald
February 3, 2016

Merna Mae Reed, 79, of Lusk, WY died Monday, January 25, 2016 at the Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado. Funeral Services were held Friday January 29, 2016 at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds. Coffee at the Fairgrounds followed burial at the Lusk Cemetery.

Merna was born March 15, 1936 in Thermopolis, Wyoming to Adolph and Marion (Grant) Hennebeck. The family lived at the Hamilton Dome Oil Field until Merna's 8th grade year when the family moved to Lance Creek. Merna graduated from the Lusk High School and attended one year at the University of Wyoming. Merna found that the University was not for her, and the following year enrolled in the Barnes School of Business in Denver, Colorado. After completing that program, she worked in Denver until she and Samual (Bebe) were married on July 23rd, 1960, when they began their life together in Niobrara County.

Merna and Bebe loved the life of ranching, living at the 77 Ranch, the Agnew Ranch and Pfister Ranch. They began going out on their own leasing the Walker Ranch in the mid-1970s. In 1978 they moved the family to town for two years and then bought their place south of Lusk. Merna moved to the little house on Barrett a few years after Bebe passed.

Merna had several jobs during her career. She worked at the Extension office for Si and Grace, then moved on to True Value for Harry Brown. She then went to work at the Lusk Grade School operating the Reading Lab and assisting the teachers K-2nd Grade. During this time she also worked for Cathy Brillhart at the Fireside. Merna ended her career working at the Wyoming Women's Center in the food service area. Merna stated many times there wasn't a job that she didn't love. She enjoyed working with all people.

Merna was a 51 year member of PEO and was a member of Niobrara County Cowbelles for years. She loved to play bridge with her "bridge gals" in two different bridge clubs, and was also active in a pinochle group. Merna was a member of the Congregation Church and sang in their choir. She loved all musical activities with the schools, community and the Ft. Robinson Theatre.

Merna also enjoyed following her grandkids in all of their activities such as sports, Jobs Daughters, 4-H, and music. The grandkids were the special recipients of her special cooking recipes such as her Cinnamon Twists, Chicken and Noodles, and Fried Chicken.

Merna loved to help people. She kept busy outside of cards by taking friends to doctor's appointments, physical therapy, PEO meetings, and card playing events; and made sure if someone wanted to attend a community event they were able to get there.

Merna was known for her contagious laugh, the twinkle in her eye and her orneriness.

Merna is survived by her four children, Dawn Sides of Cheyenne, WY and her two daughters Bailie Dockter and Brandi Wengert of Green River, WY; Roxie Nelson and husband Rod of Lusk and their four children Ryan and Dustin Nelson and Erin Hodge of Lusk, and Amy Johnston of Saratoga; son Tye Reed and wife Noel of Lusk; and Noni Weber and husband Todd of Worland and their son Haize and daughter Hailie. Merna also has eleven great-grandchildren with another one on the way.

Merna is preceded in death by her husband Bebe, her parents, brother Lyle Hennebeck and two nieces, Kara and Marla.

The family suggests memorials to the Bebe and Merna Memorial Fund in care of Roxie Nelson, 3621 US Hwy 20, Lusk, WY 82225.

Pier Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

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