Mary Lee Reeb

Mary Lee Reeb (August 23, 1936-January 25, 2025) passed away peacefully at Carol Woods Retirement Community in Chapel Hill, NC embraced by her family and welcomed into eternal peace by her husband, Kenneth. Mary was so much more than she allowed the people in her immediate surroundings to know. To her family, she was the foundation of the Kenneth and Mary Clan. Our mom and dad married at the ages of 20 and 22, in Kodiak Alaska, where Ken was stationed in the US Navy. Mary followed him there in 1956, setting aside her college educational pursuits for the love of her life. They started their family in Kodiak with the birth of their identical twin sons, Ken Jr. and Paul, and were amazed when the medical folks announced the arrival of Paul (second in birth) without prior knowledge that two little babies were making their arrival that day. (Way before ultrasound equipment.) 

Mary and Ken and the “twins” returned to the continental state of Wisconsin in 1958 with a vision of continuing education (Ken) and additional children (Mary). The newly minted family set its sights on medical school, added two more children (Anne 1959, Eric 1962), and navigated the challenges inherent in making a home and balancing career development. Years passed, stories were made, struggles and joys were lived. 

Mary and Ken, Ken and Mary…one could not speak of one without the other. They were each other. As time passed, their children became parents and were located in different regions of the States. Mom and Dad would arrange for family vacations where all (who could) would gather. They would travel to see the grandchildren, and foster connections in ways that allowed for relationships with the growing brood. At last count, the Ken and Mary Reeb Clan, begun on September 22, 1956, includes: Ken Jr. and Jane (Summerville) with two children Ken III (Katherine Kerka), Anna (Mauricio Fossas Koval); Paul and Bonnie (Lindgren-deceased) with seven children along with 21 grandchildren: Rachel (Seth Elmhorst), Paul II (Amanda Holmgren), Rebecca (Ryan Erickson), David (Jennifer Walters), Daniel, Elizabeth (Manny Flores), Brittney (Kody Carr); Anne and Calvin (Lindgren-deceased) with three children along with three grandchildren: Eric (Jamie Dunn), Loren (Rose Hudson), Alex (Alicia Vallorani); Eric and Mary Beth (Gondek) with two children along with one grandchild: Ellen (Trevor Simon), Molly (Patrick Suman). 

The Catholic faith was central to Mary’s life from the time she discovered the Church until her last breath. Ken would often share that she was his angel and together they shared their faith. Mary and Ken were best friends, trusting that the “children” were all fine, they would enjoy each other’s company late into the evenings, talking or dancing or just spending time watching the news on TV. Mary was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1977 and that fact impacted the future they would have together. Ken was Mary’s guardian, and she was his energy force. 

Time and health took its toll on Mary and Ken’s lives over the last couple of years. We are not meant for an eternal life here in this World but, as both of our parents became weakened and more fragile, death became solace. The one caveat, they would not pass in synchrony. Ken passed away in July 2024, and Mary was alone with her physical inabilities and in her deep grief. It was evident to her family, that the courageous young woman who dropped everything in 1956 to travel alone to Kodiak Alaska to marry and become one with her soul mate, was alive in the 88-year-old woman unable to turn over in bed. But she ached for Ken. The past six months were hard for Mary. She tried, as much as she could, to make the best of what was asked of her. But it was hard, And so God provided mercy and grace, and Mary and Ken were reunited on January 25th, and their “clan” is at peace. 

A funeral mass will be held for Mary Lee Reeb on Friday, February 14, 2025, at St. Thomas More Church at 10:30 am with a small reception following. As we bid farewell, we take comfort in the knowledge that her spirit lives on in the hearts and memories of all who were fortunate enough to share in Mary’s remarkable journey 

In place of flowers, the family asks that you consider a gift to St. Thomas More Catholic Church or the Carol Woods Resident Assistance Fund.