Reeve, Ellen M. (Kuncl)

IOWA CITY - Ellen M. (Kuncl) Reeve, 60, of Iowa City, died Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010, in the hospice unit of Mercy Iowa City. A celebration of Ellen's life will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10, at Ms. Susan's Reception Hall located at 1215 Jordan St., North Liberty.

Ellen M. Kuncl was born May 29, 1950, in Iowa City, the daughter of Robert A. and Barbara (Poling) Kuncl. She attended Iowa City schools, Horace Mann Elementary, graduating from City High School in 1968. She then enrolled and later graduated in 1972 from Iowa State University in Ames, where she met her future husband, Robert Reeve. Ellen had lived in several areas in the country, most recently in Washington, D.C., where she was an employee with the U.S. Navy and the Department of Agriculture. In 2003, she moved back to Iowa City, where she had been employed with Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Beginning in her childhood, she and her family enjoyed summer vacations at Burntside Lake in Ely, Minn. This has continued throughout her lifetime, especially since moving back to Iowa City. They have cherished their ties with the many families they have met over the years there, including the Anderson family which still owns and operates the resort. Ellen lived her life to its fullest; she was an avid runner, having run a number of marathons, including the Boston and Marine Corps marathons. She enjoyed playing her flute in the Linn Street Band, an adjunct of the New Horizons Band. Ellen could not be from Iowa City without being an avid Hawkeye fan, taking in many of the social times, including tailgating at the fall football games.

She will be missed for her fun-loving personality by many friends and her loving family.

Her family includes her mother, Barbara Kuncl of Iowa City; sister, Barbara Budde of Iowa City; brother, Bob Kuncl of Tipton; nieces, Jessica Howe of Oshkosh, Wis., and Kelsey Kuncl of Iowa City; nephew, Todd Kuncl of Iowa City; aunt, Marie Matthes of Hills; and several cousins and their families.

She was preceded in death by her father, Robert A. Kuncl in 1992.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Ellen's memory to Iowa Hospice, 119 Chestnut St., Muscatine, IA 52761 or Mercy Hospice Center, c/o Mercy Foundation of Iowa City.

Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web at

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Ellen's family and her arrangements.