Carol B. Reed

Carol B. Reed, 94, of Chippewa Falls, died peacefully Thursday, December 14, 2023, just two weeks shy of her 95th birthday, surrounded by family at Lakehouse Assisted Living, Chippewa Falls.

Carol was born December 30, 1928, to Enoch and Clara (Eckstrom) Arneson on a farm west of Chetek. Carol’s mother died when she was only 4 years old, and her father raised the 5 children by himself. She graduated from Chetek High School in 1947 and attended Eau Claire Vocational School. She worked at the Eau Claire Liquor Co. as a bookkeeper until 1950.

On July 19, 1950, she married Eugene (Bud) Reed and they moved to Nachusa, Illinois. In 1951, Bud was drafted, and she followed him. They lived in Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Rodeo California. While living in Rodeo, Carol worked for Sears while Bud was stationed in Japan. In 1953 Bud was discharged and they moved to Minneapolis MN where Carol worked for Old Peoria Liquor Co. In 1954 they moved to Chippewa Falls where Bud Reed and Meg Hebert started H & R Electrical Service. Carol worked as the bookkeeper for 29 years. She also worked at the voting poles for 25 years.

Carol was always involved with her children and grandchildren’s activities. She was a Cub Scout den mother, a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, a Sunday School teacher at Zion United Methodist Church as well as a Chippewa School mentor for 25 years. She was a 50-year Eastern Star member and Worthy Matron in 1992. She also played cards with her “Girl’s Group” for 50 years, played in a tennis league and a golf league, played cribbage at the Sr. Center, and traveled to several countries including China, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway, just to name a few. She was a great cook and homemaker and will be remembered fondly for her delicious potato salad, crocheted Christmas stockings and the Afghans she made for each of her grandchildren.

She is survived by her sister, Agnes Van Alstyne; four sons, Thomas (Wendy) Reed of Manitowoc, Richard Reed of Chippewa Falls, Charles (Kathy) Reed of Cadott, and William (Robin) Reed of Chippewa Falls; eleven grandchildren, Michelle (Sam) Gerzon of Lake Way TX, Matthew (Sam) Reed of Manitowoc WI, Mackenzie Reed of Manitowoc WI, Nicole (Grayson) Vangen of Prescott WI, Anne (Ross) Burau of Becker MN, Ryan Reed of Becker MN, Ginger (Jeff) Waegli of Cadott WI, Josh (Nicole) Reed of Boyd, Justin (Jordan) Reed of Lodi WI, Sara (Dave) McCullough of Chippewa Falls WI, Abbie Reed of River Falls WI; 21 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Rosemary DeGroot; along with many nieces, nephews, and other loving relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Enoch and Clara Arneson; husband, Eugene “Bud” Reed; In-laws, Hugh and Elsie Reed and Hugh “Snook” (Betty Lou) Reed; two brothers, Bob (Tiny) Arneson and Bruce (Shirley) Arneson; and one sister, JoAnn (Blake) U’Ren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, January 20, at Zion United Methodist Church in Chippewa Falls, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. A private burial, for the family, will be held at a later date.