Shema Israel, ADONAI Eloheinu, ADONAI Echad
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Deuteronomy 6:4
Jane Beth Reed (nee Lounsberry), 87, of Coldwater, Michigan, took her last breath of life at her home and her first breath of eternal life in Heaven on Saturday, April 26, 2025, after a lengthy time with many health issues.
Jane was the second of three children. She was born on February 1, 1938, to her father, Harry Clark Lounsberry, and her mother, Doris Josephine Lounsberry (nee Elliott), in Howell, Michigan. Jane’s family lived in various places in Livingston and Ingham Counties, eventually settling in East Lansing. Jane was a graduate of Lansing Eastern High School in 1955. After working for a year, Jane entered Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago to study Christian Education and Music. While there in 1957, she met Warner Reed, the man she would marry, who had begun graduate studies there that year. They were married on July 12, 1958, in Lansing, Michigan, and were married for 65 years when Warner died on November 28, 2023.
As a child, Jane’s family were strong believers in Jesus, and she grew up in the American Baptist Church family. She accepted Jesus as her Savior at a young age and continued her love and devotion to the Lord her entire life. She chose to attend Northern because her pastor had gone there. Jane was involved in many church youth activities and was part of Bible Club in high school.
After Warner graduated and became an ordained minister, they lived and ministered in several locations including St. Helen, Roscommon and Corunna, Michigan, La Crosse, Wisconsin and Clear Lake, Indiana. Jane was always supportive of the ministry work of her husband. While in La Crosse, Jane began working as an elementary school paraprofessional, and continued that work in Coldwater, working at Edison Elementary School from 1973 to 1998, when she retired. Jane worked with several teachers at Edison, with special needs, young fives, and kindergarten children.
Throughout her life, people described Jane as a sweet girl or a sweet person. She was kind and generous. Jane excelled in the home arts and in taking care of her family. Gardening and flowers (her favorite things) were one of her passions. She and Warner took care of their historic home in Coldwater. She was skilled at stained glass art (learning at the Senior Center in Coldwater). She made many clothing items for herself and her family, as she was a skilled seamstress. She was a great cook, excelled in arts and crafts, woodworking with Warner, crocheting, and knitting. She and Warner gave away most of the things they made because they enjoyed giving what they had or what they made to friends and family.
Jane was a mighty woman with a quiet strength. She was the glue holding the family together, by being lovingly concerned and interested in all the lives of her family and friends. Her quiet and unassuming prayerful life provided the strength continuing through generations. She loved all of her family and was proud of every one of them.
Jane is survived by her sister Shirley (Ernest, deceased) White of Portage, Michigan, her brother Ed (Berrie) Lounsberry of Minnesota, her brother-in-law Rudy Reed, her sister-in-law Greta Kumlander, her brother-in-law Robert Aden, her son Michael Reed of Spring Lake, Michigan, her daughter Joy (Jeff) Sauser of Caro, Michigan, her daughter-in-law Antoinette (Steve) Sandum, her grandsons Drew (Katie) Sauser, Matthew Sauser, and Grant (Christa) Reed, her granddaughter Justine (Nick) Strada, her great-grandson Wesley Reed and her great-granddaughter Violet Reed. Dozens of nieces and nephews also survive her.
Her parents, her husband, her mother-in-law and father in-law Bertha and Cyril Reed, and her son Douglas Scott Reed predeceased Jane.
Jane was extremely appreciative and grateful for the care and love from the Oaklawn Hospice staff from Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall, Michigan, for making her transition from this life to the next dignified and comfortable. Thanks also to the Eagle White Funeral Home for their professional and genuine concern.
A family graveside gathering will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Coldwater, to honor and celebrate the life of Jane. She was and is our blood, our spirit and our soul and will live on in all of us for as long as we live. She gave us life, love and faith.
To honor her love, commitment and passion for all Christianity and Judaism, please consider supporting Bridges for Peace, https://www.bridgesforpeace.com/, to transform lives and answer God’s call to bless and support Israel, in memory of Jane.
To view this obituary or send condolences, please visit eaglefuneralhomes.com.
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