Georgann Reel

1944 - 2025

Georgann was born in Williston, North Dakota, in 1944 on the birthday of George Washington - February 22nd. Her parents farmed and fed cattle and raised seven children. Georgann attended a country school near Sidney, Montana and graduated from Terry High in 1962.

In high school, Georgann was class secretary, a member of PEP club and band, a cheerleader, an alternate to Girls' State and active in F.H.A. She also acted in school plays.

After graduation, she enrolled at Montana State University in Bozeman, majoring in Home Ec and Education. She was active in many ways in college - Home Ec Club (President), Pi Beta Phi Sorority, Resident Advisor, Newman Club (Secretary), Student Education Association, Spurs Service Club, and Senior Honor House (President). She was also a secretary to the Dean of Women and received the Harrison Award, given to the top ten senior women.

Upon graduation in 1966, she married her college sweetheart, Allen, and they honeymooned to Seattle where she taught Home Ec in several schools including Roosevelt High and Allen worked in claims for Aetna Insurance. In 1970, they moved to Portland so that Allen could attend law school at Lewis & Clark.

Georgann dedicated herself to raising five children but also kept very active in the community and her church - St. Cecilia Parish in Beaverton where all five children attended parochial school. She was also a 4-H leader, a volunteer speech coach, a religious education teacher, and an active member of Home Economists in Homemaking.

She and Allen were long-time lay members (Oblates) of Mt. Angel Abbey and traveled on many pilgrimages with monks, seminarians, and religious to Europe, Asia Minor, Africa, and the Holy Land. They studied Spanish through immersion programs living with families in many countries and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, StoveTeam International, Friends of Pimpollo and other NGO's in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rico, Peru, the Dominican Republic and Portugal, and supported needy children through UNBOUND.

Both were avid walkers, hikers, backpackers, and runners, and entered many 5ks, 10ks and half-marathons, often winning in their age categories. In 2008, they walked 500 miles across Spain on the Camino de Santiago de Compostella (The Way) and again 250 miles in 2017.

Georgann was an accomplished cook and seamstress, and passed on her skills to her children. She doted on her grandchildren who adored her. Allen and Georgann spent much of their retirement summering at Crooked River Ranch in Central Oregon, and wintering in Cave Creek, Arizona. Georgann is survived by her husband, Allen; five children, Paul, Elise, Maryfrancis, Erin & Anthony; nine grandchildren & three great-grandchildren.

Family suggests remembrances to the Honorable Allen & Georgann Reel Endowed Fund of the Mt. Angel Abbey Foundation of Oregon, and to the Allen and Georgann (Lindvig) Reel Endowed Scholarship Fund of the Montana State University Foundation.

Funeral: 11am Thursday, July 10, 2025

St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Beaverton

(No Flowers Please) Georgann Reel (Lindvig)