Ross Carlton Reed

Ross Carlton Reed, 75, of Bellevue, died on November 4, 2011 after a 2-year courageous battle with melanoma. He died at his century farm surrounded by his family. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 7th at First Presbyterian Church in Bellevue, Iowa. Friends may greet the family from 9-11 before the service. Burial will follow in the First Presbyterian Cemetery with a luncheon to be held at Horizon Hall Ross was born on July 10, 1936 in Bellevue, Iowa, son of Garland (Gaylor) and Carlton Reed. He married Ellen Griebel on May 15, 1960. Ellen sadly passed away on October 2, 1970. Rosss parents moved in with him to help take care of his four children. Growing up Ross was in 4-H and proudly showed many shorthorn steers, winning many awards. Ross entered the U.S. Army and was a paratrooper. He loved the feeling of jumping from planes and always wished he would have done it one more time before he died. Ross loved to farm with his son and was a die-hard John Deere man He loved to watch the Hawkeyes and enjoyed attending his childrens and grandchildrens activities. He made many trips to Colorado and loved the mountains. He hiked up 32 mountains altogether and always talked about retiring to Colorado. Ross was a member of the school-board at the Bellevue Community Schools for 21 years, and actually served as president for 11 of those years. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, serving on the Session, and enjoyed singing in the choir. He was also on the Board of Directors at the Bellevue State Bank. He was inducted into the Cattlemens Hall of Fame in 2006. He was one of the most honest, hard-working men we knew when it came to his farming and his family. Those left to honor his memory include his daughters, Marjorie Reed, of Bellevue; Melissa Hedges, of Huxley: and one son, Michael (Paula) Reed of Bellevue. He loved watching his six grandchildren running around the farm; Ashley, Zachary, Jordan, Michael, Noah, and Sydney; a sister, Barb (Jim) Keil, and brothers Max (Mary) Reed, and Gordon (Marie) Reed, all of Bellevue. He was preceded in death by his parents, Garland and Carlton; wife, Ellen; son, Philip; grandson, Kyle Ross Reed; and son-in-law, Tim Hedges. The family would like to thank Iowa City Hospital and Hospice of Jackson County whom both treated him with dignity and respect. Thanks also to our family and friends for their support through this journey. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Rosss name. Online Condolences can be left for the family at our website www.hachmannfuneralhome.com