Lillian Ruth Reed

Lillian Ruth Reed, 88, of Lincoln, died Thursday, March 13, 2008. Reed was born in Casper, Wyo., to Leonard C. and Lena (Duncan) Forsman Jan. 28, 1920.
A cremation with no viewing and a private burial will take place at the Celebration of Life at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 5200 Francis, Lincoln, on April 19 at 2 p.m. Memorials can be sent to Fourth Presbyterian Church for Mission in Pakistan and condolences or personal reflections may be sent online at www.roperandsons.com.
Lillian graduated from Natrona County High School in Casper. She married Roland Floyd Reed in 1937. Roland and Lillian farmed north of Morrill, Mitchell, and Scottsbluff for 50 years.
Lillian raised a family of three sons, and one daughter in rural Sioux and Scotts Bluff Counties. Education was important to her and she encouraged her children to attended college. She was an avid reader and a life-long learner. She attended classes in accounting and in tailoring at Scottsbluff Junior College.
Lillian has been a member and leader in the Presbyterian Churches of Morrill; and later (1988) Fourth Presbyterian Church in Lincoln. Lillian was an Elder in both churches, a Sunday school teacher and has held many church offices including president of Presbyterian Women (Morrill Church), and Box Butte Presbyterial. An honorary PW membership was granted to her in 1974. She was an officer of the Nebraska Synodical. Lillian served as delegate three times to the Purdue conference of Presbyterian women. As one of the early women elected church elder (1955), she has twice been a delegate to General Assembly (1955, 1974). She has served as a Cub Scout Den Mother (nine years), Extension Club leader/member (45 years), and 4-H leader (10 years) in Sioux County.
After an early retirement, Lillian and Roland traveled abroad several times going to Germany, Greece, India and Pakistan. When her husband could no longer travel, she went with a friend to China.
Lillian and Roland served as Volunteers in Mission in Pakistan for the Presbyterian Church six winters. Upon returning to the USA, they shared about the work they had seen through mission interpretation in many churches.
Lillian was caregiver for her husband who lived 20 years with Alzheimers. Since moving to Lincoln, she has been a Senior Companion for 13 years, has worked as substitute manager for the Calvert Senior Center, and served as a companion and friend with Project Help. She continued to be active in church activities, serving four terms as ruling elder and also as vice-president of Presbyterian Women (Fourth Presbyterian Church).
She is survived by: son/daughters-in-law: Lee & Mary Reed of Lincoln, son Robert of Kansas City, Mo., daughter/son-in-law Ruth Anne and Ron Ries of Junction City, Kan., and by second cousin and former-daughter-in-law Christina Reed of Kansas City, Mo. Grandchildren and spouses include: Susan and Richard Gifford of Scottsbluff, Marika and Tim Crosby of Asuncíon, Paraguay, Carol and Robert Klein Sterling; Kim and Ananda Palanichamy of Mt. Prospect, Ill., Kelley and Brad Hellman of Gurnee, Ill., Rene & Rod Russell of Lee's Summit, Mo.; Robert and Becky Reed of Kansas City, Mo., Ryan and Kristen Reed of Big Sandy, MT; Michael Ries and Scott Ries of Los Angeles, Calif, "adopted grandson" Khalat Almuzory and family of Lincoln and 19 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Helen (Reed) Strey of Gering, Caroline Forsman of Montesano, Wash., and Diane Forsman of Richland, Wash., and by two nieces and five nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Roland, brothers Glenn and Robert Forsman, her son Ralph, and brother–in-law William C. Strey.