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Catherine Reese Obituary
Catherine Lucile Bagley Reese passed away peacefully in her home December 18, 2013 at the age of 83 after years of patiently enduring. Born March 18, 1930 to Cyrene and Martha Bagley, the youngest of six children, she spent her summers at her father's cattle ranch (the Bagley Ranch) in Callao, Utah where they housed in the original Pony Express Station.
On May 12, 1950 she married her sweetheart Frank Pond Reese in the Salt Lake Temple. Extremely bright and talented, she yearned to become a doctor and sing in the Tabernacle choir, however, her proudest emotional investment and intellectual pursuit was mothering and mentoring her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Catherine was a faithful member of the LDS church where she served in many callings ranging from Chorister to Primary President to Bishop's wife to Relief Society President. She loved music and singing and was the proud owner of Utah Opera Season Tickets. Even so, she could hunt, dress, and butcher her own deer. When the children were raised she began motorcycling across the USA and Europe with her husband. They eventually founded the Temple Riders Association (TRA) www.templeriders.org. which was officially organized in the Spring of 1988 with six couples. The TRA now has around 800 members.
She was a valiant cancer survivor and despite her suffering continued to make grandma quilts and noodle dolls. To her last moments she crafted these works of devotion to her family that we cherish along with her stubbornness, her laughter, and love.
She is survived by her husband Frank Pond Reese, sisters Marian Woodward, Jean Lloyd (Harvey), brother, Frank Bagley (Marlene); nine children, Dale Reese, Martha Kaiser, Lucile Jensen (Keith), Elaine Sorensen (Mitchell), David Reese (Lori), SMSgt (r) Richard Reese, Col Steven Reese (Darcy), Ann McMurtry (Lindsay), and John Reese (Trisa); forty-two grandchildren and nearly forty great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Charles and David Bagley, daughter, Diane Catherine (deceased during delivery) and grandson, Conrad Jensen.
Services will be held December 23, 2013 at 11:00 am at the LDS Garden Park Ward Chapel, 1150 East Yale Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah. Interment to follow at Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 17111 S Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale, Utah.
Donations may be made in Catherine's memory to the cancer fund for her grandson at any Wells Fargo Branch location: Marshall and Amanda Family Trust.
"Dear Mother all flowers remind me of you"
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Catherine Reese
Steven Greenwall
January 17, 2014
I work with Stan Woodward in the Kansas City Temple who recently told me of Sister Reese's passing. I grew up with Dale and Martha and worked where Bishop Reese worked for some time (Snarr Advertising) plus he was my Bishop and my dad was later their Bishop (1960's).
I have sweet memories of Sister Reese, her kindness, patience, beautiful voice and great family. I have recently passed this news on to my family. My love and sympathy to you all and to my dear Bishop Reese with his infectious smile and laughter.
Beth Anderson
January 3, 2014
Aunt Catherine shared some special insight about Grandma Martha that most of us grandchildren never knew. I was pulling at the neck of a shirt and complaining about it up too high, and Aunt Catherine shared that Grandma Martha never liked things up on her neck either. It was special to know I had inherited a trait from her and not ever met her here on earth. Hugs and loves to your family! Your memories will be more of a treasure as the days, months and years move forward. Love you all!
January 3, 2014
Dear Frank, I am so sorry that I did not know of the passing of your sweet wife until today in the Temple lunch room. I so appreciate your friendship and working with you the the Temple. You are an inspiration to us all. Darwin Eggli
ben and iris spek
December 25, 2013
We have fond memories of having your family in the neighborhood. May you be comforted.
December 23, 2013
Dear Reese family,
I'm sorry to hear of the passing of your wire and Mother. I remember your family with fondness from the time I lived in Garden Park Ward with you. May you feel the peace that comes from Jesus Christ during this time.
Susan Denhalter Stevens
Vicki Jensen Family
December 22, 2013
Lucile, Keith and Family,
Catherine Reese was a living saint. When I met her she was canning peaches, the house smelled wonderful and the living room was full of peaches. She was industrious and beautiful. You will miss her but she is released from suffering and the cares of this life. May you be comforted knowing that she lived a good life and left you with wonderful memories. Let us all honor her for the valiant life she led. We are better people having known her.
May the Lord bless all of you.
Erica Blakeney
December 21, 2013
I'll always remember coming to your house to visit and always leaving with a full stomach even if I was already full before I came! And of course, the blanket you made for me that gave me such comfort through the rockiest moments in my life.
Cal Davies
December 21, 2013
Our sympathy to the Reese family we enjoyed your time in our ward. Cal & LaRene Davies
Maurice & Grace Thompson
Linda Coltes
December 21, 2013
To the very special Reese Family. Please know of our love and thanks to you all for your kindness when we moved to Virginia in 1958. You opened your home to complete strangers, but were so willing to help us and you certainly did. Because of your love and faithfulness in doing what Christlike people do, our family has been greatly blessed. We've all remembered what you, Catherine, and your dear husband, Bishop Reese told us when we asked how to repay you. Your responses were the same: GO AND HELP SOMEONE ELSE WHO NEEDS HELP and we have tried to do that all of our lives.
You will miss your dear wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, but you know that you will all be together again in the next life. She will always be with you in your heart, mind, and spirit.
Again, know we love you all and appreciate all that you represent. Thank you for allowing us to be a special part of your life. Even though she doesn't remember us, we loved Elaine so very much and she stayed with us as much as Sis. Reese would allow. May you know how much we love you Elaine and cherish your sweet love when you were a toddler.
Wishing you the best in whatever Heavenly Father has in store for each of you.
Lots of love,
The Maurice Thompson Family
Maurice, Grace, Fred, and Linda
Pam & Steve Blair
December 21, 2013
Lucile and Family, We are so sorry for your loss. God bless you all at this time with comfort & peace in knowing she is with our Heavenly Father.
Bruce Barton
December 21, 2013
To Frank and His Children and all Reese Family, so sorry to hear about Catherine passing away. I met The Reese Family at the Garden Park Ward, what a great family. Catherine will be missed by so many people. She was a wonderful person. I send my Sympathy and Condolences to all The Reese Family at this sad time. May you all be comforted. Sorry I cant make it to services live too far away.
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