Elouise Ruth Reich, 84, of Merrill, passed away Tuesday, May 4, under the loving care of
Bell
Tower
staff and Ministry Home Care Hospice. She was born April 7, 1926 to the late Ferdinand and Alma (Kniess) Kloss in Merrill. On September 4, 1948 Elouise married Douglas R. Reich at
Nebo
Lutheran
Church
in
Chicago
. He preceded her in death April 27, 1997.
Elouise was a graduate of
Merrill
High School
. From there she pursued her nursing degree from Garfield Park Community School of Nursing and further went on to Michael Reese Hospital School of Nursing. In September of 1944, Elouise continued her studies in the fields of obstetrician, psychiatric and pediatrics. She continued her nursing career through the 1970’s. After retiring, she moved to
Spring Hill
Florida
, while in
Florida
she became involved with many volunteer activities including the Elks Club,
Holy
Name
Church
where she helped with child care and was a confirmation teacher. Elouise enjoyed golf – she even got a hole in one, making crafts, but she especially enjoyed greeting everyone. She was a member of Our Saviour’s
Lutheran
Church
. Ms. Elouise was instantly loved by all who came her way. As she greeted you with open arms and a kiss on the cheek, her smile warmed your heart.
Survivors include her god daughter: Cindy (James) Leskey; 2 nieces: Renee Twombly and Carole Birong; nephew: Edward Reich; 4 cousins: Dennis (
Georgia
) Kniess, Carolyn Kniess, George (Janelle) Diagostine and Kevin (Michelle) Kniess; best friend, Eleanor Peterson and special friend, Mark Conboy. She is also survived by all the residence and staff at Bell Tower Residence.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ferdinand and Alma Kloss, and her husband, Douglas Reich, uncles Walter Kniess and Harold (Ruth) Kniess.
Services will be held Friday, May 7, 2010 at 11:30 AM at Bell Tower Residence Chapel. The Rev. Jeffrey Martinson will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:30 – 11:30 AM, also at
Bell
Tower
. Burial will be in
Florida
, to be with her husband Doug. Donations may be given to Bell Tower Residence, Merrill Child Care or Our Saviour’s Luther Church. Waid Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at
www.waidfuneral.com
.
