To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the Arkansas Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Arkansas, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 10/2/20 • Approved: 10/2/20 • Last Updated: 10/5/20 • R1342138-G1342137-S3
Janet Lois "Nan" Distelhorst Reed
January 28, 1921 - July 26, 2018
*Obituary
www.kirbyandfamily.com
Janet Lois “Nan” Reed, 97 years of age, passed away July 26, 2018 in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Born Janet Distelhorst January 28, 1921, in Burlington Iowa she was the second daughter of Frederic Charles and Pearl Winders Distelhorst. Along with her parents, Nan’s sister Bonnie Rae Knight and Bonnie's husband, Wayne Knight, former owners of Wildcat Shoals Resort in Flippin, Arkansas preceded Nan in death.
Showing an early interest in her life long career of Journalism, Janet was the first editor of the Oak Street Junior High School newspaper and also went on to edit the Burlington High School newspaper in her graduating year of 1939. After attending Burlington Junior College, Janet began her professional journalism career at the Burlington Hawkeye Gazette. It was there she met James M. “Jim” Reed while he was working as sports editor. Their marriage on December 26, 1942, lasted 67 years until his passing in 2010.
The Reeds lived in Coral Cables, Florida during World War II and then operated their own advertising and public relations agency and published NOW Magazine in Stockton, California.
When Nan and Jim moved to Topeka Kansas, both worked for the Topeka Daily Capital, Janet as the State Editor, reporting news from correspondents in other Kansas cities and Jim as Sports Editor, then Executive Editor. While living in Topeka, Janet returned to school at Washburn University studying English and Journalism. Also, while living in Topeka, the Reeds enjoyed breeding and exhibiting show dogs and their Holly Lane Kennels produced two American Kennel Club (AKC) champions. Janet was a lifelong pet lover and supporter of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Pets always played a central role in her life and the lives of her family.
When Jim accepted a position in Chicago, Janet became a full-time wife and mother. She became a very active member of the Art Institute of Chicago, an activity she continued for many years. She also joined P.E.O. in Chicago and spent a good deal of time visiting the many Chicago antique shops, adding to her collection of hundreds of early miniature oil lamps and other antiques. In Chicago, Nan had time to pursue her love of gardening and she particularly enjoyed hosting dinner parties. An avid bridge player she joined several bridge clubs and combined the enjoyment she got from cooking and entertaining with her bridge playing.
The Reeds left Chicago to purchase their own weekly newspaper, the Journal Free Press in Osage City, Kansas. When they sold the newspaper Nan and Jim moved to Wichita, Kansas. Jim was associated with St. Joseph’s Hospital and Janet active in many volunteer activities at the hospital as well as P.E.O.
When Jim retired in 1981, Nan and Jim built a home in Cotter, AR. She joined the Mountain Home P.E.O. and renewed her passions for reading and oil painting. In the ensuing years, the couple traveled to many art fairs and shows exhibiting and selling their paintings. Janet’s oil paintings won numerous awards including best of show awards at the Forsyth, AR Art Show and Harlin Museum Art Show in West Plains, MO. Janet shared her painting skills by teaching art classes to seniors at Baxter Manor. She supported the Smithsonian Institution, National Home Garden Club and numerous animal shelter and adoption groups. She was the consummate wife and mother while at the same time retaining her individuality. She had a pilot’s license before she had a driver’s license. She was a writer, painter, gardener, skilled seamstress, quilter, gourmet cook, enjoyed crafts and home decorating, antique collecting and refinishing furniture or just a good book by the fireplace.
Janet lived in Cotter, AR for over 30 years and spent the last several years at Good Samaritan Village of Mountain Home. Nan and Jim were members of Wesley United Methodist Church of Cotter Arkansas. We thank God for Nan's long and interesting life. Janet Lois Reed leaves two loving sons, Kerry S. Reed of Katy, TX and Stephen C. Reed of Phoenix, AZ.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, August 4, 2018, at Kirby & Family Funeral Home Chapel, 600 Hospital Drive, Mountain Home, Arkansas, with the Pastor Jimmie F. Snow of Wesley United Methodist Church, Cotter, Arkansas officiating.
In lieu of flowers the family hopes you will hug your pets and donate to the Humane Society of North Central Arkansas or your favorite non-kill animal shelter.
Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services - Mountain Home, Arkansas.
Contributed on 10/2/20 by ashaw444
Email This Contributor
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 1342138
Location/GPS: View Map