Margaret J. Reese

Margaret Jean Reese, 86, passed away peacefully on Oct. 3, 2013 at Gardenside Long Term Care Center in Fairbury with her children, family, and pastor by her side.

Margaret (Hissong) Reese, the youngest of six children, was born on a farm near Hebron, Ne. on Aug. 11, 1927 to Roy and Bertha (Vinkenberg) Hissong. She spent her childhood years helping on the family farm and received her early education in a one room school house in rural Thayer County.

Margaret married Arthur Reese on June 10, 1965 and he welcomed her children, Larry, Marcia and Vicki Kotas, into his life. The family resided in Hebron until 1968 when Art's employment took them to Fairbury. Margaret was active in the church and enjoyed selling Avon and visiting with her customers.


Shortly after her husband passed away in 2005, Margaret moved to the '23 Apartments and resided there until December of 2013 when she made her home at Gardenside. While at the '23 Apartments she greatly enjoyed her time with friends, attending potlucks, and taking part in her favorite card game, Pinochle.

Margaret also loved gardening, canning, baking, embroidering, bowling and when her children were young, taking family camping trips.
Margaret's favorite activities were those that involved serving people in the way of family dinners, driving friends on sightseeing trips and, in general, helping anyone in need.
A surprise party for her 86th birthday in August was a very special time for her as she had a chance to visit with many family and friends.
Margaret left this world as she preferred to live it, surrounded by family and friends.


Proceeding her in death were her parents, five siblings, Virgil (Fritz) Hissong, Wilfred (Bill) Hissong, Dorrell Hissong and his wife, Dorothy, Irita Virus and her husband George, Wilma Wiedel and her husband Cornelius, and nephews Junior Virus and Roger Wiedel. Her survivors include her children, Larry Kotas and wife Sandra of Diller, Marcia and husband John Sivley of Bowling Green, Ky. and Vicki and husband Ralph Check Jr. of Endicott; grandchildren, Kandice (Pat) Jurgens of Diller; Kolin (Brittney) Kotas of Lincoln; Derek (Staci) Deger of Lincoln; Mike Sivley of Nashville, Tenn.; Cody (Noah) Ennis of Fairbury; Kiley (Matt) Wohlers, of Wayne and Jenik (Scott) Davis of Wilber; Great grandchildren, Madison and Austin Jurgens; Kyler Kotas; Drake and Gage Deger; Brynn Novotny; Lindsey and Tristan Korthals, Kadin, Bryston, Allison and Lily Davis; sister-in-law Elaine Hissong of San Antonio, Texas and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Memorials to Family's Choice

Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday October 9, 2013 at Faith Lutheran Church in Fairbury, with Pastor Ken Hart officiating. The family will greet friends from 5:30 to 7:30 Tuesday, Oct. 8th at the Funeral Home in Fairbury.