Reed, Bernita A.

Bernita A. Reed, 92, of Independence, Iowa, died Sunday evening, March 11, 2012, at the Buchanan County Long Term Care Center in Independence.

Bernita was born January 19, 1920, in Luxemburg, Iowa, the daughter of John and Elenore (Segbers) Neuhaus. She attended country schools near Luxemburg. She married Forrest G. Reed on February 1, 1939. The couple farmed in the Lamont, Winthrop and Independence areas until their retirement in 1989 at which time they moved to Independence.

Mrs. Reed was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, the St. John's rosary Society, and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas.

She is survived by six children, Delores (William) Fagle Thom, Fayette, Jim (Cheryl) Reed, Independence, Kay (Ivan) Cole, Independence, Shirley (Arthur) Clark, Quasqueton, Randall (Denise) Reed, Independence, and Richard Reed, Independence; 27 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Mary Lou Reed; a sister, Dorene Schommer; and three brothers, Bill, Ralph and Virgil Neuhaus.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. John's Catholic Church, Independence, with Rev. Don Plamondon officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Independence. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Thursday at Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence. A rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. and a parish vigil service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

For more information or to leave an online condolence please go to under obituaries.

Published March 13, 2012 in The Gazette