August 29, 1943 – October 18, 2025
Charlie Reed, 82, of Sumner, died peacefully, Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Unity Point/Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, surrounded by his loving family.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Friday, October 24, 2025, at Meadowbrook Country Club in Sumner. Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made in Charlie’s name to the Sumner Volunteer Fire Department or SEMS.
Charles Dwight, son of George and Donna (Pieplow) Reed was born August 29, 1943, at the Oelwein Hospital. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. Charlie grew up around the Fayette area and graduated from West Central High School in 1961. While in high school, he met Sandra Baker and after a few years of courtship, they were united in marriage on March 31, 1963, at Union Methodist Church, rural Sumner. To this union four children were born, Mark, Andy, Marcy, and Dave. Charlie began his professional career with Don Vandersee Plumbing & Heating and later worked at Pipho and Tiedt Implement in Sumner. In the 1970’s, he started Reeds Repair and in 2000, Reeds Auction Service, retiring in 2015. Charlie loved to work and he believed strongly in customer service and attention to detail. He was always proud to sell his Deutz Tractors and Kinze Planters. In retirement, Charlie stayed busy helping his sons, Andy and Mark. Charlie was a long time member of Murphy Methodist Church, rural Westgate, served as a lay minister for many years and was a member of The Gideon International. He served on the Sumner Volunteer Fire Department and was a 4-H member for several years. Charlie enjoyed tractor pulls, slinging horse shoes, attending County Fairs, and loved attending all of his grandkids’ activities.
Charlie is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sandra of Sumner; four children, Mark (Kristie) Reed of Sumner, Andy (Renee Smith) Reed of Sumner, Marcy (Ryan) Meyer of Sumner, and Dave (Carrie) Reed of Decorah; eleven grandchildren, Chuck (Megan) Reed, Mike (Alissa) Reed, Joe (Marc Alexandre) Reed, Cody (Mady) Reed, Marshall (Brittany) Reed, Beth (Mick) Rochford, Brady (Kim )Meyer, Blake (Andrea) Meyer, Brock (Riley) Meyer, and George and Ray Reed; thirteen great-grandchildren, Charley Reed, Aubrey Reed, Brinlee Reed, Maggie Reed, Mabel Reed, Melody Reed, Merritt Reed, Karson Reed, Kaylynn Reed, Reed Rochford, Ellie Rochford, Dax Meyer, and Indy Meyer; siblings, Betty Riley of Oelwein, Nancy (Gary) Maurer of Oelwein, Gary (Penny) Reed of Arlington, and Eugene (Evy) Reed of Riverside; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Phyllis Clay of Illinois, Betty Baker of Minnesota, Mary (Mike) Hurd of Marshalltown, Linda Baker of Sumner, and Steve (MaryAnn) Baker of Westgate; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Ray Richey; mother-in-law, Marcella (Keith) Baker; and sisters and their spouses, Bev (Don) Vandersee, Beulah (Kieron) Odekirk, Bonnie (Dewey) Kastli; and Georgia (Hal) Nolting; and brothers-in-law, Jack Riley, Don Clay and Bob Baker.
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