Eunice M. Reese

Eunice Marilyn Borgschatz Reese was called to her heavenly home May 2, 2011. A faithful Christian to the end she was known and loved for her many volunteer commitments and tireless devotion to her family and countless friends. She also loved to travel and meet people of different cultures and walks of life. She will be laid to rest 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7, 2011 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Red Wing (WELS). Burial will be at St. John's Church Cemetery, Goodhue. Visitation will take place at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel, 602 Plum Street, Red Wing at 4 to 7 PM, Friday, May 6 and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Eunice was born May 21, 1937 in St. John's Hospital (Red Wing, MN) to Rev. Benjamin A. and Selma (Cordes) Borgschatz and was baptized June 27, 1937 by Pastor Paul E. Horn at Christ Lutheran Church, Zumbrota. She grew up in parsonages throughout South Dakota where she was confirmed by her father on July 15, 1951 at St. John's Lutheran Church. Confirmation verse: Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and these things shall be added unto you." On April 28, 1973 she married Richard Henry Reese in Christ Lutheran Church, Zumbrota, MN and recently celebrated 38 years of marriage.

An alumna of Dr. Martin Luther College and High School (New Ulm, MN) with a Bachelor of Science in Education and a strong minor in Music, Eunice taught as a called WELS Christian day school teacher in Medford, WI (Immanuel); Kenosha, WI (Friedens); Greenleaf, WI (Zion-Morrison); Goodhue, MN (St. John's); and Lake City, MN (St. John's). In more recent years, she has served as a regular substitute teacher in all the area Lutheran schools as well as an organist and choir director at St. John's, Goodhue and assisted at St. John's, Red Wing.

Eunice had many rewarding experiences working as a volunteer in the Jesus Cares program of the church as well as a Vacation Bible School teacher; most notably helping to start the VBS program in Ternopil, Ukraine. She was also involved at the Red Wing Literary Council as an English teacher to foreign born people living in the area. A few of the other many leadership and volunteer positions Eunice enjoyed: active officer and committee member of Ladies' Aid, board member and president of the Hiawatha Valley Circuit Lutheran Women's Missionary Society, president of the Martin Luther College Auxiliary, piano and organ teacher, president of the Red Wing Area Keyboard Club, member of Red Wing Area Music Teachers Association, member of Minnesota Music Association, member of Cross Country Gals Home Extension study group, officer on the Home Council of Goodhue County.

Eunice was preceded in death by her parents and brothers-in-law Rev Frederic Kosanke and Arleigh Zemke. She is survived by her loving husband Richard, son Peter (Andyrose), daughter Maria, son Paul (Emily) and grandson Clyde Walker Reese as well as sisters Rhoda Kosanke, Kathryn (Sidney) Smith, Dorothy (Leonard) Rusch, Muriel (Robert) Most; sisters-in law Lois Zemke, Miriam (Willis) Hinrichs; brother-in-law Wilbert (Leora) Reese, and 22 nieces and nephews.

Memorials are suggested for Martin Luther College, Lutheran Women's Missionary Society, or St. John's Lutheran Church/ School, Red Wing.

Eunice's faith in her Lord Jesus was evident to all her knew her.