Dean Edward Reese

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Dean Edward Reese, 87, formerly of rural White Cloud, died early Wednesday morning, December 19, 2012, at the Hiawatha Community Hospital.

Dean was born at White Cloud, January 24, 1925, one of three sons of Edward (E.H.) and Marie Meier Reese and was a life long area resident. He grew up on a farm near White Cloud, and attended the Shore Country School #30 prior to graduating from White Cloud High School.

Dean later graduated with a bachelor of science degree from Kansas State University at Manhattan where he was active with the FarmHouse Fraternity. He returned to farm and raise livestock on the family farm west of White Cloud until retiring and moving to Hiawatha.

Dean was dedicated to his community and to promoting agriculture. He spent six weeks in Kazakhstan to help privatize agriculture. He also spent eight weeks in Albania to help privatize agriculture there also. Both visits were in cooperation with the VOCA (Volunteer Oversees Cooperative Assistance) Agency.

Dean was very active in his community through the years actively serving on various boards and committees: he was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Hiawatha. He served on the Corporative Finance Commission for 8 years in Washington, D.C. He served on the Farm Service Board, local co-op board, and the ASCS Board.

He also served on the Rural Electric Co-Op Board, at the local, state and national levels, for over 30 years, serving as president at the local level with the Brown-Atchison Board for 17 years. Dean was president at the Kansas Electric Cooperative for 3 years; he helped establish the Brown County 4-H Foundation, where he was first a member, then a leader of 4-H for many years. Dean also served on the Hiawatha Hospital Board where he served as president for a time.

He married Gretchen Lessel, February 5, 1955, at Falls City, Nebraska. She survives.

Also surviving are his children: James "Ed" Reese of Overland Park, KS, Nancy (Pat) Dillon of St. Joseph, MO; a brother Donald Reese of Denton, TX; and four grandchildren: Patrick Dillon, Erin Dillon, Keegan Reese, and Katie Reese.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother Charles.

A celebration of Dean's life is planned for at the First United Methodist Church of Hiawatha, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 22. Reverend Randy Quinn will officiate. Interment will follow at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, in the Zion Community, northeast of Hiawatha.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Brown County 4-H Development Program and may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha, 66434.

Friends may call at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home after 12 noon Friday where the family will meet from 6 until 8 that evening.