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Reida, Essie
Essie Reida of Urbana died March 30, 2013, at Mercy Medical Center, CedarRapids, following a sudden illness.
Essie is survived by her husband, George; children, Heather Garrett, Marshalltown, and Carl Garrett, Urbana; her mother, Helen Bickel, West Burlington; brothers, James (Karen), Burlington, and Gene, Burlington; as well as several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Jacqueline Garrett; and father, Claude Bickel.
Essie was born in Bloomfield, Iowa, on April 12, 1956. She was an active member of the Girl Scouts and 4-H in Bloomfield and Burlington, where she moved in 1968. She earned her God and Country award from the Girl Scouts in Burlington. She was very active in drama, National Honor Society, student council and band during high school. She graduated in 1974.
Essie married William Garrett III on July 4, 1975. Her marriage allowed her to live in California, Virginia (where she worked for the 700 Club), and Japan (working for the Armed Forces radio and television station and teaching colloquial English to Japanese business students) before returning to Iowa after the loss of her first daughter, Jacqueline. Essie and William lived in Burlington, where they welcomed Heather on March 6, 1986, and Carl on March 29, 1988.
After divorcing and graduating with honors from Southeast Community College, Essie went to Wesleyan and met the love of her life, George Reida, in 1991. They were married Dec. 24, 1993. Upon completing a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the University of Iowa, Essie moved her family to Solon and became a counselor at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. After moving to Urbana, Essie worked at Pathways in Waterloo until leaving the profession in 2005.
Essie was a talented woman who loved crafting, especially sewing. She had a strong faith and loved to talk to everyone she met. She was actively engaged with all her children's activities, including Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. She was an active member in several churches. Essie enjoyed traveling when opportunities arose.
Essie was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, April 6, at 10:30 a.m. at River of Life Ministries in Cedar Rapids by Pastors Brian Fink and Bob Gaston.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.iowacremation.com.
Published April 4, 2013 in The Gazette
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