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Mary Rae Reece
MRS. MARY RAE (DON) REECE
Elkader
Mrs. Mary Rae (Don) Reece of Elkader passed away Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, in her home at the age of 85 with her loving husband of 62 years and family at her side.
Mary Rae was the only child of Raymond George Dauber and Mary Grace (Smith) Dauber of Iowa City. Mary Rae was born Oct. 3, 1933, in New Orleans, La., where her father was a teacher and coach at Tulane University. Mary Rae and her parents moved back to Iowa City in 1945. Mary Rae studied at the University of Iowa in liberal arts. Mary Rae had a passion for horses and showing that she passed on to her three daughters. She met Don Reece in 1955. They were united in marriage on Aug. 25, 1956.
Don and Mary Rae had three daughters, Mary Ellen (Dean) Leonard of Elkader, Donna Rae Reece of Newport, N.C., and Barbara Ann (Jeff) Reinhardt of Strawberry Point.
Mary Rae worked as a librarian at Iowa City High School. During their time in Iowa City, she loved traveling with the camper, hiking, fishing, and being involved with her husband's and children's many activities. She loved high school wrestling and enjoyed going to her husband's many coaching events. She and Don achieved their dream of owning a farm and moved to Elkader in 1975. Mary Rae enjoyed being outdoors, hunting on the farm, fishing on the Mississippi, gardening, riding horses and spending time with her family and friends.
Mary Rae belonged to the Elkader Country Club and enjoyed golfing with her husband and the women's league, as well as farming. Mary Rae drove the transit bus for NEICAC and the Head Start program.
Mary Rae is survived by her husband, Don; their three daughters; four grandchildren, Paul (Bridget) Ehrhardt of Guttenberg, Heidi Dettman (Matt Berger) of Elkader, Kristie (Sam) Battin of Elkader and Jacob (Amy) Dettman of Elkader; and 12 great-grandchildren, Ethan, Brady, Conner, Paxton, Bailie, Izibele, Hunter, Carter, Bella, Jaydin, Paige and Teagon.
A memorial service for Mary Rae will be held at a later date. Condolences and sympathy can be sent to Don Reece, 27383 Galaxy Rd., Elkader, IA 52043.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Elkader is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left with www.graufuneralhomes.com.
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