Elaine Marie Reese

June 11, 1925 - May 15, 2019

Elaine Marie Reese, age 93, of Storm Lake, Iowa, passed away, expectedly unexpected on Wednesday, May 15, 2019. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in the Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery in Storm Lake. Visitation will take place Friday, May 17, 2019 from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in STORM LAKE. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Elaine Marie Weimer was the first born to Roy and Blanche (Woodall) Weimer, on June 11, 1925, in Sibley, IA. The family lived in Milbank, SD, where Elaine attended grade school and moved to Hartley, IA where she graduated high school in 1943. Following graduation, Elaine answered the call to assist with the WWII efforts by getting on a train with her girlfriend and headed for Washington, DC where she was hired by the FBI as a fingerprint technician for two years. She returned to Storm Lake, IA where her parents and sister, Bette, had moved. Elaine then attended Buena Vista College for two years. Elaine met, dated and married Jim Reese on June 22,1947 at the Storm Lake, Methodist Church. They raised three children in the family home they built in 1954 and resided on Renshaw Drive for 64 years. Elaine worked at the KAYL Radio Station as a receptionist for a few years, then at the Smart But Thrifty Dress Shop and The Sugar Bowl. Elaine was an actively involved long time member of the PEO Chapter N.L. and United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School and was a Circle member. She and Jim were charter members of the Lake Creek Country Club. She was a volunteer at the hospital coffee shop for 20 years and a Cub Scout and Brownie leader. On bitter cold winter days in the late 50’s, Elaine drove Scotty to deliver the Des Moines Register in her nightgown. Elaine had many hobbies, including playing cards and taking photos of her family and friends. She and Jim enjoyed playing couples golf league at Lake Creek, sewing, knitting, quilting, baking, and loved to shop. She was a member of several bridge clubs, one of which she participated in for 50 years. Her coffee group met every Monday morning for 40 years. She was an avid reader and loved to have her grandchildren at her home. She and Jim traveled often to Austin, MN, Plover, Wisconsin, and Reno, Nevada, to see their children and grandchildren. Each winter, for 20 years, they vacationed in Florida. They enjoyed going to Lake Okoboji and Door county with family and friends, and went on a few cruises. The Alaskan cruise was a celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary with her sister, Bette and her husband, Bud. With Elaine around there was never a dull moment. Her loving spirit, sarcastic wit and good sense of humor will be remembered always. Elaine is survived by her husband of 72 years, James “Jim" Louis Reese, children, Scott (Lynna) Reese, Sandra Davis, Patricia Rogers, 11 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren, and many “collectibles.” She is preceded in death by her parents, and sister Bette (Glen) Waite and her favorite grand-dog Duncan. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Genesis Development: 1607 North Lake Ave. Storm Lake, Iowa 50588 or the United Methodist Church: 211 East 3rd St. Storm Lake, Iowa 50588.