Esther Reed

Esther Louise (Stelling) Reed, 83, of Hebron, NE, passed away April 16, 2024, at her home. She was born June 1, 1940, to John & Irene (Snodgrass) Stelling in Chariton, IA. Esther spent her youth helping her parents on their farm and was involved in girls’ sports in school. Esther graduated from Steele City High School in 1958. From there she moved to Seward, NE where she married Charles Watson on August 2, 1959. To this union five children were born: Gary Charles, Charlene Louise, Mary Lou, Sherry Lynn & Danny Fay Watson. Charles & Esther divorced June of 1972. At that time Esther & the children moved back closer to her family near Diller, NE. At this time Esther went to school and received her license for Cosmetology which she practiced for the next several years. It was during this period she met and began to date Gary L. Holle of Greenleaf, KS. They both loved country music & dancing. Esther and her children moved to the Hanover, KS area for a while then Ester & Gary later married in June of 1981. At that time, they moved to live and farm on Gary’s home place near Greenleaf. Esther took a position in Nursing Care Facilities in the area where she worked for nearly 30 years. Sadly, Gary took ill suddenly & passed away in March 2004. At that time Esther moved to Hebron, NE, closer to her grown children, where she took a job at Mary’s Café for 3 years, before fully retiring in 2007. In April 2008, she met Lester R. Reed at a dance in Crete, NE, (who was also fond of country music). They developed a relationship and the following year, 2009 took a trip to Idaho where they were united in marriage. Returning to Nebraska, they resided in Cortland, NE. Unfortunately, Lester took a fall, which led to failing health and he passed in July of 2012. At this time, Esther moved to Fairbury again to be near her children. While continuing to enjoy her country music & dances, through mutual friends she was introduced to her special friend, George Hoss in 2014. Two years later in 2016, Esther moved to Clatonia, NE to be with George. They continued their mutual enjoyment of gardening, music & dance as well as traveling. Esther was preceded in death by both sets of her Grandparents, her parents John & Irene Stelling, daughter Sherry Watson, granddaughter Ashley Renee’, her children’s father Charles Watson, husbands, Gary L. Holle & Lester R. Reed, brother John Franklin Stelling, sister Etta Herfel, brother-in-law Carl Herfel, sister Bethel Holle, and brother-in-law Denny Holle. She is survived by sister Barbara Kolars of McPherson, KS, her children Gary Watson & wife Teresa of Hebron, NE, Charlene Engelman & husband Levi of Wakefield, KS, Mary Watson of St. Joseph, MO, Danny Watson & wife Heather of Fairbury, as well as 9 grandchildren & their spouses, 12 great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous other family members & friends. A Memorial service will be held Monday, April 22, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury. Memorials will go to Family’s Choice. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. www.gerdesmeyerfh.com

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