Cover photo for Pauline 'Polly" Reeder's Obituary
Pauline 'Polly" Reeder Profile Photo
1924 Pauline 2020

Pauline 'Polly" Reeder

July 8, 1924 — January 26, 2020

Our beloved mother and grandmother Pauline “Polly” Reeder passed away on January 26, 2020 at the age of 95. She was born July 8, 1924, in Fairfield, Iowa, the fourth of five daughters, born to Charles and Charlottie Steele.

Pauline loved growing up in Fairfield and valued the many life- long friendships she made in the community. She remembered the Great Depression years as difficult, but credited them with instilling in her a belief that with hard work, perseverance, a positive attitude and the support of family and friends, one could overcome anything. She was an incredibly hard worker, who rarely complained about anything - except her kids when she felt they weren’t working hard enough.

Polly touched the lives of thousands of people with her positive attitude and sincere interest in everyone. When speaking of others, she often prefaced her remarks by saying’ “She (he) is such a lovely person…” This got to be a family joke: she would mention someone and her children would say, “who is such a lovely person.”

Polly was an active member of many organizations, and devoted her life to promoting the goals of the groups as a way to serve others. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star for over sixty years, serving as Worthy Matron several times. Her dear friend, Linda Hoy, traveled with Polly all over Iowa attending chapter meetings. Neither rain, snow, or dark of night could keep them from those meetings. Polly was especially proud of her service as a Fairfield City Council Member. She tried to be responsive to her constituents and effective in her efforts to do what was best for a city she loved. At the age of 90, she was still appearing before the City Council to give them the benefit of her wisdom on issues she felt strongly about - and she felt strongly about a lot of issues! Polly was a life-long member of the Methodist Church. The ladies of the Hannah Circle were an unwavering source of support and affection.

Polly was preceded in death by her husband’s Robert Dale Gillaspie and Keith Reeder, parents Charles and Charlottie Steele, and sisters, Helen Teeter, Maxine Gittler, Ila Mae Bittle, Barbara Filson and nephews Don Pottorff and Sanford Bittle. Polly is survived by her six children Bob (Pam), Christine (Dave) Bill (Toni)) Craig, Charleen (Leo), Mike (James), 6 grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. Polly will be remembered by her family for her joy and laughter, and especially for her ability to laugh at herself.

Polly was always grateful for the kindness shown to her in this life, and she especially appreciated and loved the staff at Sunny Brook Living Care Center.

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, January 30, 2020 at the Fairfield First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be at 10:30, service at 11:00 am with lunch to follow at the church. The burial will be family only.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to T.T.T. Camp Girls, 1201 South 5th Street, Fairfield, IA 52556 or Hannah Circle with Fairfield United Methodist Church.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Pauline 'Polly" Reeder, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, January 30, 2020

10:30 - 11:00 am (Central time)

First United Methodist Church

201 North Court Street, Fairfield, IA 52556

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Celebration of Life

Thursday, January 30, 2020

Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)

First United Methodist Church

201 North Court Street, Fairfield, IA 52556

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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