Gregory Alan Reed was born June 21, 1951, to Arnold Louis and Joan Huffstodt Reed at the Atlantic Memorial Hospital.
Greg attended Cumberland & Massena Schools, graduating with the class of 1969. He attended Dana College in Nebraska, and Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa where he obtained an Associate’s Degree in Business & Marketing.
On September 14, 1977, Greg married Janet (Levi) Refer. To this marriage, Janet brought her two children, Jonathan James Refer, and Ann Marie Refer. On June 1, 1979 they welcomed their daughter Alanna Calvina (Callie).
During Greg’s working years he was in sales & management. While the couple lived in Cumberland, IA., Greg was involved in the Cumberland Red Sox baseball team, Businessmens Club, Lions Club, City Council, and Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a member of the Cumberland United Methodist Church.
Cal Ripken, Jr. was an all-time favorite player of his beloved Baltimore Orioles baseball team. He also looked forward to the College World Series each year.
His favorite time of year was Christmas, when he especially enjoyed decorating the outside of the family home. He was meticulous about cookie decorating and always wore his Santa hat while listening to Christmas tunes, his favorite being “Let It Be Christmas” by Alan Jackson.
Greg passed away peacefully at Montgomery County Memorial Hospital on Dec. 11, 2020, with his family at his side.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, father, a cousin, Mona McKee, his mother-in-law, Velma Levi, and his brother-in-law Frank Levi.
Left to cherish many great memories are his wife, Janet, his children Jon (Julie) Refer; Ann (Rich) Anstey; Callie (Jody) McDiffett. His grandchildren: Alicia (Dustin) McGeorge, Michelle (Forrest) King, and Chris Refer (Matt Kroschel); McKinze (Clayton) Schmidt, and Morgan Anstey; Reed, Ian and Rowan McDiffett; three great-granddaughters; and his mother Joan.
Also surviving are his sister, Susan (Dan) Norman, and Kelly (Rondelle) Reed; his sisters-in-law, Pat (Larry) Rogers and Mary Anderson (Chuck Thorson); many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial service at the Griswold United Methodist Church will be held on Monday, June 21, at 10:30 AM. Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting the family.
