Leota Mae "Dodie" Reed

1924 - 2025

WINTHROP – Leota "Dodie" Mae Reed, 100, of Winthrop, Iowa, passed away on Friday, May 30, 2025, at her home of 60 years in Winthrop.
Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, as well as one hour before the Funeral Service on Friday, June 6, at the Reiff Family Center – Funeral Home & Crematory in Independence, Iowa. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 6, 2025, at the Funeral Home in Independence. Burial will be held at the Fremont Township Cemetery in rural Winthrop.
Leota was born to John H. and Bertha "Belle" (VanLaningham) Hunter on August 28, 1924, in Independence. Her mother was in the midst of canning tomatoes on that very hot day and only paused briefly to give birth. The Hunter family moved several times in Leota's early years following her father's various railroad assignments in the Independence and Waterloo areas. When Leota was thirteen, her family settled in Winthrop, where she graduated with the class of 1941 from Winthrop High School.

On February 22, 1942, Leota married Maurice "Morrie" M. Reed, in Kewanee, Illinois where he worked in a defense plant as a set-up man for a munitions factory. In late 1942, they made their home in Chico, California, where Morrie was stationed with the Army Air Corps during World War II. Leota spent her days clerking at a dime store as well as working as a "Rosie the Riveter" on the air base repairing damaged fighter planes.
They returned to Iowa in December 1945, after serving their country and made their home outside of Winthrop. They farmed until the mid-1970s when Morrie's health began to decline. Leota enjoyed working on the farm and doing bookkeeping for both their farm and the FS Services petroleum tank truck business which they operated for many years. Leota became one of the first employees at Triangle Plastics in Winthrop. The hardworking, frugal couple eventually built a custom home in town without ever needing a mortgage.
Leota was an active member of Cornerstone FourSquare Church in Independence and a long-standing member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She spent countless hours volunteering for Hospice, leading both Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, mentoring at East Buchanan Schools, and teaching Sunday School. Her family was very blessed as she lifted them up in prayer daily. Leota hosted a weekly Bible study group in her home for over 20 years. In 1980, she was one of the primary sponsors of a Vietnamese refugee family who continue to be a part of the Reed family to this day.
Leota will always be remembered as a cherished wife, an extraordinary mother, a beloved grandmother, and a true friend. She loved having a house full of grandchildren and tried to attend all of their life events. Leota enjoyed cooking, baking the best apple and coconut cream pies, gardening, sewing, and she crocheted afghans for all of her family members. Leota was a friend to all and was lovingly called "Grandma Reed" by many. Anyone who entered her home was greeted with sincere love and was given a listening ear.
Most importantly, Leota had an unwavering faith and devotion to Jesus Christ. She was the epitome of the Wife of Noble Character described in Proverbs 31:10-31. She lived through the Great Depression, several wars, the loss of loved ones, and many hardships which gave her great wisdom and an unshakable belief in God's Word. Her greatest desire was for everyone to embrace the good news that God loves them and sent Jesus, his Son, to die for their sins so they can be reconciled to him and have eternal life (John 3:16, Romans 10:13). The legacy that Leota leaves is to love God and family, to work hard, and to serve others.
She is survived by her children: Larry (Jennifer) Reed, Clermont, Iowa, Gail (Rick) Beasley, Winthrop, Jon (Jan) Reed, Winthrop, and Jane (Gary) Weston, Independence; thirteen grandchildren; thirty-six great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; many nieces, nephews; and close family friends: the Hai Dang, Hung Tu, Susilo, and Lau families.
Leota is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sons-in-law, Scott Shaffer, and Duane Hardy; a great-grandchild, William Gabriel Reed; her siblings: Alfred (Mildred) Cunningham, Lucille (Wayne) McConnell, Leonard (Maragaret) Hunter, and Winifred (Virgil) Bateman; as well as her in-laws: Virgil and Rowena (McFarland) Reed, Eleanor (Alvin) Yeoman, and Virginia (Raymond) Breitbach.
For those so wishing, memorial donations may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice, Samaritan's Purse, or Cornerstone FourSquare Church in Independence.
To leave an online condolence please go to www.reifffamilycenter.com under obituaries.