Maureen Bette Reed (1933-2018)

For Maureen Bette Reed (Gillingham, Gehling, Frederick), age 85, “the cares of this world have grown dim in the light of God’s glory and grace.” She passed peacefully Monday, 1/15/2018, surrounded by family.

Maureen spent her final days at Kenosha Hospice Alliance’s Hospice House where she finally succumbed to kidney failure. She had been a longtime Kenosha resident with husband, Ron Frederick, since the late 1970’s.

Maureen was raised in Greendale, WI. Born to Lawrence Albert and Bessie “Bette” Minette Gillingham on August 21, 1933, Maureen was one of 8 children. Her siblings Don (Maggie), Richard (Gail) and Dennis, Brian (Danielle), Patrick (Debbie), Laurie (Steve) survive her. Also left to cherish her memory are her 6 children whom she raised in Greendale with Duane Gehling: Will (Julie), John (Dawn), Daniel (Bryndahl), Lisa (Dennis) McGee, Connie (Jeff) Ordway, and Peggi Gehling.

She is further survived by Ron’s Family: Michael & Leigh Frederick & Shari Beth Farwell. Combined grandchildren include: Chris (Jen), Sydney, Abigail, Jacob; John, Apryl, James; Noah (Lindsey), Sabrina (Dave); Jesse, Emma, Kellie (Jeremie); Isaac, Robbie, Lila Maureen; Gregory (Erica); Lauren (Jeremy Sr), Jayden, Jeneca, Jeremy Jr, Haley, Katrina.

Maureen was very proud of her various career ventures including her first job at Northwestern Mutual Insurance Co in Milwaukee and later as a business skills instructor at the WI Workshop for the Blind and JVS (Jewish Vocational Services)

One of her proudest moments, after great perseverance, was receiving her bachelor’s degree with Honors in communications from UW-Parkside, after raising all of her children.

Maureen & Ron started dating in the late 1970’s, bought their current Kenosha home (a “Milwaukee bungalow” would you believe) in 1986 and married on Valentine’s Day, 1987. Their marriage happily survived 30 years which is more than their previous two attempts combined.

Coincident with her Milwaukee to Kenosha transition, Maureen enrolled @ UW-Parkside graduating cum laude in 1986. There, she met a small cadre of like-minded, feminist-oriented, nontraditional women students active with the Kenosha Women’s Network (KWN) which was still in its infancy having been founded in 1980. Maureen joined in 1982 and served as treasurer, president & co-newsletter editor during her tenure.

In a speech @KWN’s 30th anniversary celebration Maureen proudly commented that “the entity we created is a fully viable, well-fleshed, muscular organism that has thrived nurtured by its philosophy:
To promote and encourage the professional and personal growth of women in Kenosha County, and the belief that the success of each increases the success of all.

In keeping with her education & inclination, Maureen indulged her entrepreneurial interests in the ‘90’s by creating Her Pages: A directory of businesses owned & co-owned by women in Kenosha County .

After retiring Her Pages, Maureen became active in the sexual assault treatment services area by joining the staff of Pathways of Courage & later Women & Children’s Horizons (WCH). She also served on the Board of Directors of WCH from2009-13.

Maureen was a “stringer” for the Kenosha News, contributing heavily to the memorial supplement for late Senator Joe Andrea, who incidentally worked with her father, Larry, in Communication Workers of America union activities.

Not many know that Maureen was also successful deer hunter, having bagged a whitetail in the late ‘80’s with her trusty 20 gauge Ithaca Featherweight pump shotgun.

Maureen’s penchant for public service was satisfied by her 1994 election by the Kenosha the County Board of Supervisors to the 11th District seat vacated by Louise Principe who was appointed Register of Deeds by then Governor Tommie Thompson. Maureen served on the County Board from 1994-2002.

Two other pursuits that Maureen truly enjoyed were her service as a bailiff to Kenosha County Circuit Judge Barbara Kluka (2005-6), and the financial strategizing & camaraderie with WIP (Women Investing in Profit) in which she was a member from 1997-17.

A memorial service will be held on Friday January 26th, 2018 at 11:00AM in the Kemper Center Founders Hall. (6501-3rd Avenue) Visitation with the family will be on Friday in Founders Hall from 9:30AM until the time of service. Lunch will be served following the service.

In lieu of flowers memorials either to Kenosha Hospice Alliance or Women and Children’s Horizons would be appreciated.