Lemon, Reta Doris

Reta Doris Lemon, 79, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Cadillac, Mich., died peacefully in her home on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011, surrounded by her loving family. Memorial services: 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 17, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion. Family will greet friends from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Inurnment: Maple Hill Cemetery, Cadillac, Mich., at a later date.

Survivors include two children, Roddi G. (Lea) Lemon and René G. Lemon, both of Cedar Rapids; three grandchildren, Jesica (John) Sidler, Robert Lemon and Rycherd Edwards; sister, Ruby Meis (Steve Brewer) of Ypsilanti, Mich.; brothers, Russell Meis of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Ron (Bev) Meis of Bear Lake, Mich.; sister-in-law, Lorna Meis of Tustin, Mich.; brother-in-law, Bruce Raymond of Marion, Mich.; and her faithful canine companion, Lily Belle.

She was preceded in death by her husband; two sons, Ricki G. Lemon and an infant son; her parents; a brother, Roye Meis; and a sister, Rella Raymond.

Reta was born Nov. 25, 1931, in rural Marion, Mich., the daughter of Henry John and Golda Mae (Hinton) Meis. She received her BS and MS degrees from Central Michigan University. On Dec. 19, 1953, Reta was united in marriage to Gordon B. “Bud” Lemon in Cadillac, Mich. Bud died in 2001. Reta was the science coordinator for Marion Independent School District in Marion from 1968-1996. She created, developed, and taught at the Science Center at Mentzer Elementary in Marion for many years.

Reta was a lifetime member of the NEA and received many teaching honors, including Iowa Soil Conservation District Winner and Outstanding Teacher, Educator of the Week and Top of the Class through The Gazette, Science Teaching Award for Elementary Science, Indian Creek Nature Center Environmental Educator of the Year, Certificate of Recognition from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers at Coralville Lake, Des Moines Register District 5 Teacher of the Year, and was inducted into the Marion Independent School District Hall of Fame in 2006.

In addition, Reta was very proud to have received her Archaeological Certification. Teaching was her passion, but her family (especially her grandchildren) were her greatest love. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.

A memorial fund has been established in Reta's memory.

Please sign the online guest book for Reta at

Published Oct. 14, 2011, in The Gazette