Carla Ann Reed

Niobrara County lost a hummingbird early Saturday morning, July 13, 2024. Carla Reed, 90, passed away at the Niobrara County Memorial Hospital following a short illness and following a treasured 90th birthday celebration earlier this year.

Through all seasons and phases of her life, Carla was the safe harbor for all in the storms of her family?s lives.

Carla Ann Mill Reed was born February 28, 1934, in Casper, Wyoming to George and Inice Boon Mill. Carla was raised on the ?55 Ranch? north of Lusk with her sister, Wanda Hansen. After graduating in the NCHS Class of 1952, Carla married Niobrara rancher, James ?Jim? Reed, on August 1, 1954, Carla and Jim lived and raised their three children on the Cheyenne River for nearly 50 years.

Carla was always so willing to learn. When Carla married Jim, Carla learned from Jim?s grandmother, Delia, how to make Grandma's family biscuits. For the next 50 years, all of Carla?s family feasted on Carla?s biscuits and gravy on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and whenever her children and grandchildren called for them. And Carla?s buttermilk pancakes, oh, her pancakes: all her children and grandchildren clamored for pancakes at Carla?s kitchen table.

Both before and after her husband?s death in 2003, Carla enjoyed her P.E.O., Niobrara County Cattlewomens? friends, bridge marathon and most recently her dedicated weekly bridge partners. Carla was always close with her sister, Wanda, but Carla?s network of friends brought happiness to each and all. Just as Carla, in her later years, enjoyed watching hummingbirds at the ranch, in Lusk, and at her son Jake?s Phoenix home, Carla was that hummingbird in her family?s and her friends? lives.

Carla did everything as a mother, grandmother, and ranch-hand. Always willing to ride a horse, Carla would do whatever was needed outdoors, cooking all the food for the hired men, and family indoors. Only when her grandchildren were old enough to ride did Carla yield horse-back riding to them.

After raising her own three children Jake and Jeff Reed of Lusk, and daughter Lori in Casper, Carla nurtured her Lusk grandchildren through their middle school and high school years. For nearly ten years, Carla made and hosted lunch for her grandchildren and their friends at her home in Lusk. These were special memories for all of them.

Survivors include son Jake (Lorrie); daughter Lori (Patrick) Murphy; and son Jeff (Danese). Eight grandchildren, Staci (Zane) Marty of Newcastle, WY; Jamie (Brian) McElhaney of Lusk, WY; Michael Murphy (Blair Douglas) of Denver, CO; Sean Murphy of Cheyenne, WY; Darren (Hannah) Murphy of Denver, CO; Kaylee (Trevor) Barner of Lusk, WY; Kristen (James) Whitcher of Rapid City, SD; Jordan (Jessie) Reed of Lusk, WY. Special great grandchildren: Braedon Snell and Jaelon McElhaney; Tyan and Blazelee Marty; Atlas Murphy; Nova Murphy; Roarke and Ramsey Barner; Odin and baby Whitcher; and Quinn and Piper Reed. Carla is also survived by her sister Wanda Hansen, (Pete), and sister in-law Ruth Reed. Nieces and nephews: Cheryl Lund, Susie (Kelly) Clay, Tom (Amy) Reed and Tami Reed.

Carla was preceded by her loving husband, Jim, her parents, George and Inice Mill, brother in-law, Tom Reed and two nieces Shannon Reed and Christine Hansen.

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