Reata Ann Fanshaw

Reata Ann (Kampschroer) Fanshaw passed away on July 21, 2023. She was born on October 5, 1931.
Reata lived a full and remarkable life that begain in LaCrosse, Wisconsin as the second child of Bernard and Lillian Kampschroer. Reata had a zest for life as deep as her beautifully bewitching azure blue eyes. While she professed to be a rule follower, she relished the fact she met her husband Harley at an army dance at Fort McCoy and agreed to let him take her out on a date, even though it was strictly against the rules. "Best rule I ever broke," she would proudly proclaim throughout their almost 50 years of marriage. Reata referred to herself as shy by nature, but she was a fierce protector of her family. As a young mother she clutched her baby son, Bruce, in her arms and climbed into a wobbly rowboat to escape the flooding Mississippi River while pregnant with her daughter, Judith. All in a day's work for Reata.
In the early years, Reata and Harley moved around the country for Harley's job and Reata worked effortlessly to make every new house and inviting family home. She had great taste and always decorated with style.
Reata spent countless hours antiquing, tracking down worn pieces of furniture and turning them into glorious gems through her meticulous craftsman skills. Reata was expert at knitting beautiful sweaters, shawls and mittens that would nowadays be referred to as artisan; she called them homemade. She loved to dance, especially the polka. And she always seemed to have the energy for just one more. She rarely read a mystery novel she couldn't solve or a recipe she couldn't make just a little bit better.
She loved being married to Harley and was devastated when she was widowed. She possessed a deep resilience for overcoming life's obstacles and courageously carried on for more than twenty years without her Harley.
Competitive by nature, she loved winning at Canasta, Buck Euchre, Uno (with the grandkids) and especially Cribbage. Reata kept a life-long game count against Harley. Reata learned to Wii Bowl and was reining community champion for months. She enjoyed being spoiled by her children and grandkids when they went on vacations and special trips together. Every year she looked forward to going to an automotive show with her son Brad and his wife, Charlotte. She loved going to California, where Brad and Charlotte took her to see her favorite shows (Dancing With the Stars) and introduced her to Hollywood heavyweights. She was truly adventurous. In her 70s she traveled to Europe with Judith's family where they all hiked across Sweden, bike through the busy streets of Amsterdam, and climbed the Eiffel Tower. She never wanted to miss out on an adventure and we thought she was unstoppable.
We love you Mommy, Gammie, Auntie, Sis, Reata. May you have eternal peace.
Preceded in death by her husband Harley, brothers Roger, Bernard, David, and her sisters Kathleen, and Mary Lou. Survived by her children Bruce, Judith/Scott), and Bradley (Charlotte), her grandchildren Christina, Taylor, Ian, and Ryan, her sister Pamela, and four great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be scheduled and announced at a later date.