Louise Reed

Martha Louise Crane Reed passed away Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, at her home in Bennington, Idaho, following a struggle with brain cancer. The second of 10 children, Louise lived a selfless life more concerned about the welfare of others, with little thought for her own needs.

Born April 14, 1942, in Montpelier, Idaho, she grew up the daughter of a sheepherder and began her life in a home with no inside plumbing. Chewing gum was often shared among siblings and nothing of use was ever thrown away. She attended elementary school in Bennington, and junior high and high school in Montpelier. She fondly remembered her childhood despite limited resources. Louise, her parents and siblings are unique among families. Kindness and caring were paramount with little time for petty grievances or bickering. It was often said that Louise never uttered an unkind word about anyone.

Louise attended Idaho State in Pocatello, where she met Ronald Reed. The two were married Aug. 20, 1962, in the Idaho Falls Temple and celebrated 50 years together in August, with their six children and 25 of their 26 living grandchildren.

She was an astute businesswoman and helped run the family motel business in Burns, Ore., where they lived for 20 years. For two of those years, Ron's summer employment required Louise and their five young children to camp on site in the forest for weeks at a time.

Louise and Ron placed emphasis on education, both at home and at school. Family vacations, often spent driving and camping around much of the United States, in addition to running the family business, provided real world learning experiences to their children that have shaped their lives immeasurably. All six of her children received degrees from BYU as a result of their parents' tutelage and sacrifice.

A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Louise constantly served others and spent her entire life diligently engaged in Church service, where she blessed the lives of many people. In the latter part of her life, she served two 18-month missions with her husband, being assigned to Sialkot, Pakistan; Johor Bahru, Malaysia; Chisinau, Moldova; and Bucharest, Romania.

Louise was preceded in death by her parents, William Butterfield Crane and Lula Robison Crane; sister, Karen (Russ Miller); brother, Timothy (Marilyn) Crane; and infant grandsons, William Robin Reed and Edward Joseph Jenson.

She is survived by her husband, Ronald; children, Ronald E. (Michelle), Garth (CayLynne), Mark (Tifiny), Dawn (Paul Jenson), Karen (Chris Thompson), and Jon (Becky); and 26 grandchildren. She is also survived by siblings, Wilma Crane, Eve (Mark Dayton), Ginger (Wayne Swensen), Melvin (Dorothy) Crane, Norene (Dan Price), McKay (Susie) Crane and Laurence (Linda) Crane.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at the Bennington LDS Chapel with a viewing from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. beforehand. Interment will follow at Bennington Cemetery. A viewing will also be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, at Matthews Mortuary, 702 Clay St. in Montpelier, Idaho.