Marie Katherine Sirucek Reed, 93

On May 14, 2022, our beloved mother, Marie Reed, passed peacefully from our home to her home in heaven. Marie had a deep, profound love for Jesus Christ, and because of that, we are filled with his joy knowing she made her journey safely and is in his loving arms, surrounded by family and friends.

Marie was born on Jan. 28, 1929, in Danvers, Montana. She was the fourth child in a family of 13 children. Her father, Emil Sirucek, was born in Nebraska. Her mother, Rosie Kasala, was born in Czechoslovakia. Rosie came to the United States when she was 11 years old. She and Emil married and homesteaded in Montana.

Marie graduated from high school in 1948 in St. Ignatius. She had many adventures, starting as a telephone operator in Cleveland, Ohio, and later, became a reservation agent for Midcontinent Airlines in Kansas City, Missouri.

It was there that she met Earl Reed. He walked her home from a girlfriend’s house and so began their relationship. They were married on Aug. 3, 1952, in Kansas City, where her children, David and Susan, were born. There, they joined the Lutheran Church. Earl’s job took them to Joplin, Missouri. Marie studied cosmetology and became a hair stylist. She was the owner of The Broadway Beauty Shop for three years. Earl’s job then took them to Monett, Missouri, where Marie styled hair at the LaCobra Nursing Home. What joy she brought to all the residents there.

After Earl passed in 1973, Marie moved to Kalispell, where much of her family resided. She became a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

She graduated from Flathead Valley Community College with a degree in sociology. She began her new career with School District 5 as a traveling aide. She worked with District 5 from 1976 to 1989.

Marie was an angel on earth. She volunteered for the Literacy Program and helped adults learn to read. She also volunteered at Hope Pregnancy Center when they first opened their doors. She took in a single mother and her newborn baby for several months. Marie was an artist who loved to draw and paint with oils.

She was an avid square dancer from 1974 until she was struck with severe rheumatoid arthritis in her late 70s. Under the loving care of Dr. Roger Diegel, she was able to keep moving, and enjoying trips with her dear friends Arlene, Marianna, Robbie and Eileen.

Marie lived in her own home until August 2018. Then, she came to live with her daughter Susan and son-in-law, Ray. She was a blessing and a light to their household. In her final years, she spent much of her time using colored pencils to beautifully color in Scripture-based adult coloring books.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Emil and Rosie, nine siblings, and her husband, Earl.

She is survived by her son, David and wife Bev, and her daughter, Susan and husband, Ray, her four grandchildren, Hailey, Sam, Kait and Kevin, and one great-grandchild, Arlo.

Marie’s presence will be greatly missed, but she leaves with us the testament of her great faith in our Creator and her love for his creation: the earth, the plants, the animals, and the twinkling stars — all of which remind us of her beautiful, pure spirit.

There will be a celebration of her life on Monday, May 23, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kalispell at 11 a.m. A light luncheon will be served afterwards, and a private burial will take place later.