Berthal “Bert” S. Reed
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Berthal S. Reed (Bert), age 90, of York, NE died Thursday, December 9, 2021 at his home in York.
He was born March 8, 1931, the fourth of five children, to Simon T. and Mildred (Reed) Reed at the hospital in Sutton, NE. The family was living near Akron, CO at the time, but soon moved back to Farmers Valley near Henderson, NE. He attended his first school years at Farmers Valley School District #1. Each year the students would have a picnic on the last day of school and present a program at the Farmers Valley Cemetery adjacent to the school. The family later moved north of Aurora, NE and he graduated from Aurora High School in 1948. He attended Lincoln School of Commerce in the fall and after graduation worked briefly for the Railroad in Fairbury, NE.
On May 12, 1952, he was united in marriage to Marlyce Widga at the First United Methodist Church in York. At that time, he was serving an enlistment in the United States Air Force out of Bangor ME. They honeymooned at Niagara Falls enroute to Maine. He was shortly transferred to Alexandria LA, where he served until December 1953. They returned to York and he spent the rest of his life there.
His love of trucks and family led him to a job in the trucking business, working for Reed Brothers out of Fairmont, NE. In the 1960’s, Reed Brothers purchased an airplane and he obtained his pilot’s license. He flew his family to California to visit relatives a couple of times. The Reed Brothers later sold their trucking business to Sunflower Beef Packers in York, where Bert worked until his retirement in 1993. He had several part-time jobs in his early retirement years.
He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church and served on the Farmers Valley Cemetery Association board for many, many years. He also was a member of the York American Legion and York Elks Club.
Bert is survived by his wife of 69 years, his daughter Tracey Sieck and husband Steven of York, grandson Dustin Vaught and wife Ashely of Cameron, MO, Adrian (Andy) Vaught of York and Heath Vaught and significant other Hannah Ingold of York. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren, one step great-granddaughter, an adopted great-granddaughter Alayna, many nieces and nephews and special friend Kason.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jay M. Reed in 2007, his parents, brothers Warren Reed and Gene Reed, sisters Audrey Sweeney and Gay Anne Siebler, and great-grandson Rory Vaught.
A Memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 16, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church in York with Pastor Trudy Hanke and Art Phillips officiating. Inurnment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery in York. There will be no viewing or visitation as it was Bert’s wish to be cremated. However, his family will greet friends Wednesday evening from 6-7:30 at the mortuary. Memorials may be directed to Nebraska Children’s Home, the American Cancer Society or to the church.
He was born March 8, 1931, the fourth of five children, to Simon T. and Mildred (Reed) Reed at the hospital in Sutton, NE. The family was living near Akron, CO at the time, but soon moved back to Farmers Valley near Henderson, NE. He attended his first school years at Farmers Valley School District #1. Each year the students would have a picnic on the last day of school and present a program at the Farmers Valley Cemetery adjacent to the school. The family later moved north of Aurora, NE and he graduated from Aurora High School in 1948. He attended Lincoln School of Commerce in the fall and after graduation worked briefly for the Railroad in Fairbury, NE.
On May 12, 1952, he was united in marriage to Marlyce Widga at the First United Methodist Church in York. At that time, he was serving an enlistment in the United States Air Force out of Bangor ME. They honeymooned at Niagara Falls enroute to Maine. He was shortly transferred to Alexandria LA, where he served until December 1953. They returned to York and he spent the rest of his life there.
His love of trucks and family led him to a job in the trucking business, working for Reed Brothers out of Fairmont, NE. In the 1960’s, Reed Brothers purchased an airplane and he obtained his pilot’s license. He flew his family to California to visit relatives a couple of times. The Reed Brothers later sold their trucking business to Sunflower Beef Packers in York, where Bert worked until his retirement in 1993. He had several part-time jobs in his early retirement years.
He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church and served on the Farmers Valley Cemetery Association board for many, many years. He also was a member of the York American Legion and York Elks Club.
Bert is survived by his wife of 69 years, his daughter Tracey Sieck and husband Steven of York, grandson Dustin Vaught and wife Ashely of Cameron, MO, Adrian (Andy) Vaught of York and Heath Vaught and significant other Hannah Ingold of York. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren, one step great-granddaughter, an adopted great-granddaughter Alayna, many nieces and nephews and special friend Kason.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jay M. Reed in 2007, his parents, brothers Warren Reed and Gene Reed, sisters Audrey Sweeney and Gay Anne Siebler, and great-grandson Rory Vaught.
A Memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 16, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church in York with Pastor Trudy Hanke and Art Phillips officiating. Inurnment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery in York. There will be no viewing or visitation as it was Bert’s wish to be cremated. However, his family will greet friends Wednesday evening from 6-7:30 at the mortuary. Memorials may be directed to Nebraska Children’s Home, the American Cancer Society or to the church.