Burnita Faith Reed Obituary (1915 - 2013)

Burnita Faith Boies was born Nov.24, 1915 on the Boies family farm west of Quasqueton. Burnita was the third child born to H. Glen and Leta (Gaylord) Boies. She attended Quasqueton, Rowley, and Independ-ence schools, graduating from Independence High School at the age of 16. Following high school she attended Iowa State Teacher's College, receiving her Iowa State Teacher's Certification at age 18. She later received her BA Degree from Upper Iowa University. In 1937 while working in the office of Rath Packing Co. in Waterloo, she met L. Graydon Reed. The couple was married in July, 1938 in Oelwein at the home of the bride's aunt and uncle, Dr. M.L. and Ruth Shine. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Independence, Texas, and spent the WW2 years in Washington D.C., where Graydon worked as a machinist in the Washington Naval Gun Factory. While living in Washington, Burnita gave birth to their first child, Larry Alan Reed. At the close of the war, they moved back to Iowa, and settled for a time in Waterloo where Graydon worked for the WCF&N Railroad. Burnita and Graydon then moved to Winthrop and began farming southeast of town where their second son Bill was born. In 1958 they ceased their farming operation and moved into Winthrop. Burnita began her teaching career at Winthrop Consolidated Schools, (Later East Buchanan) and Graydon took over the position of Secretary Treasurer of the Buchanan Mutual Insurance Assn. Both served in those positions for many years. In retirement the couple spent their time traveling, camping, golfing, and wintering in Texas. Following Graydon's death in 1997, Burnita moved to Oak View Retirement Community in Independence. She passed away Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, 10 days before her 98th birthday, following a sudden illness. She is survived by one son, Bill and wife Paulette of Springville, five grandchildren, Jason Reed and wife Holly of Fairfax, Aaron Reed and fiance Andrea of Cedar Rapids, Dr. Valerie Hickman and husband Shea of Boone, N.C., Dr. Sylvia Schreiner and husband Scott of Mansfield, MA, and Alycia Reed of Coralville. Also surviving are five great-grandaughters, Lisa, Genevieve, and Mary Reed, a sister, June Benz of Independence, a brother, Donald Boies of Cedar Rapids, a sister-in-law, Lois Boies of Oelwein, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, one son Larry, a sister, Marian McNeal, five brothers, Horace, Gaylord, Herbert, (Killed in action, WW2 Battle of the Bulge, and buried in Holland) ,Robert and Richard Boies. Burnita was active in the Order of the Eastern Star, Literary Club, Bridge Club, was a Charter Member of the Buffalo Creek Country Club, and a devoted member of the Winthrop Church of Christ United. The famiy would like to offer special thanks to the staff and residents of Oak View for helping make Burnita's years there very special indeed. Also many thanks to Pastor Dean Schlitter for his personal attention and visits when she became unable to attend church. Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013 at the Church of Christ United in Winthrop with Pastor Dean Schlitter officiating. Music provided by Don and Anita Bowden. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery at Winthrop. Friends may call from 4 PM until 6 PM Monday at Fawcett Funeral Home and after 10 AM Tuesday at the Church. The Fawcett Funeral Home and Cremation services is assisting the family with arrangements. Online at www.fawcettsfuneralhome.com under obituaries.