LIFE STORY

Margaret “Lee” Elizabeth Reed (formerly Howe)

Age 71 of White Bear Lake and Richfield, MN
“You are an important part of my world… Blood does not a family make.”

Lee was born in Richfield, Minnesota on July 30, 1946. She was one of many children to Frances Marie (nee Gibson) and Donald Paul Lawrence. After graduating from the Academy of Holy Angels, she went on to attend St. Catherine’s University and the University of Minnesota (where she obtained her Masters Degree). Lee worked as an occupational therapist and later as a special education teacher. She did phenomenal in both fields and she was known for her big and bright smile.
She married Lawrence Eugene Howe in Webster, South Dakota on October 22, 1971. They raised their children in White Bear Lake. Larry passed away in 1999. In 2000, Lee met Marvin W. Reed and the two were married in St. Paul on July 16, 2005. More than anything, her family was her pride and joy. Lee has quite a big family and they lovingly refer to themselves as the “Howe Zoo”. After getting married again, Lee opened her arms and heart to everyone in Marv’s family and they did the same back to her. When she was not working or spending time with her family, Lee could be found gardening her beautiful roses in the backyard. She also enjoyed crafting, cooking, sewing, and camping. She belonged to the Women on Wheels Motorcycle Club and got into motorcycles because of weekly motorcycle rides with her first husband, Larry. She also loved to travel and took many trips all over the world. Her most memorable trips were two Caribbean cruises, a trip to Munich, and a motorcycle ride to Pennsylvania with her best friend, Julie.

Lee has proven to be a very strong woman as she has been battling Lewy Body Dementia over the last few years. Amazingly, her family was able to keep their promise to her to have her stay at home where she was most comfortable. However, this amazing promise could not have been kept without the amazing care and dedication of her husband, Marvin. Lee’s entire family knows how great of a blessing Marvin has been over these last few years and cannot thank him enough.
On Thursday, May 10, 2018, Lee passed away peacefully at her home, with her family by her side. She is preceded in death by her parents, Frances and Donald Lawrence; her first husband, Lawrence Howe; her granddaughter, Zoey; her maternal grandparents, Ronald and Annabelle Gibson; her paternal grandparents Frank and Rosella Lawrence; and her uncle, Ed Gibson. She will be dearly missed by her second husband, Marvin Reed; her children, Cecilia Howe of Shoreview, Deborah (Jeff) Steinworth of Ham Lake, Brian (Rica) Howe of Woodbury, Scott L. Howe of White Bear Lake, and Rachel F. (Derek) Cooper of White Bear Lake; her grandchildren who lovingly call her “Nana”, Caitlin Dana Howe, Dana Michaela Howe, Grace Frances Howe, Doran Faith Cooper, and Josie Ann Cooper; her step grandchildren who she considers her own grandchildren, Landon Reed, Trent Disselkamp, Eva Jane Disselkamp, Tara (Mike) Cushing, and Jackie (Erik) Seavey; her great-grandchildren, Alec Cushing, Quinn Steinworth, Sam Seavey, and Faye Seavey; her brother, Richard (Linda) Lawrence of St. Louis; her uncle, Mike and Sharon Gibson of Alamo, CA; her aunt, Laura Gibson of Lilburn, GA; her close friends, Julie Trenholm of Princeton and Ms. Tracy J. Howe of West Lakeland; and many other family and friends.

There will be a gathering and reception for family and friends from 4-7PM on Friday, May 18, 2018 at Mueller Memorial, 4738 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear Lake, with a service to celebrate Lee’s life at 7PM. The interment will be private and for family only as they lay Lee to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, with her first husband, Larry. In lieu of flowers, memorials were requested by Lee to go to the Wounded Warrior Project.

OBITUARY NOTICE (as published in the Pioneer Press)

Reed (formerly Howe)
Margaret “Lee” Elizabeth

Age 71 of White Bear Lake and Richfield
Passed Away Peacefully on May 10, 2018

Preceded in death by parents, Frances and Donald Lawrence; and first husband, Lawrence Howe. Survived by second husband, Marvin Reed; children, Cecilia Howe, Deborah (Jeff) Steinworth, Brian (Rica) Howe, Scott L. Howe, and Rachel F. (Derek) Cooper; 10 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; her brother, Richard Lawrence; and many other family and friends. Gathering on Friday, May 18, 2018 from 4-7PM at Mueller Memorial, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave., White Bear Lake, with a Celebration of Life Service at 7PM. Private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials preferred to the Wounded Warriors Project. “You are an important part of my world. Blood does not a family make.”