Karen Reid

My mother was a very strong and caring woman. She was always the very first to offer assistance to anyone she felt was in need. She has always put the needs of others above her own.

She was born in Columbus Ohio in January of 1961. Growing up, She knew what it was like to be in need. My mother was the oldest of 5 children and times were tough back then. I remember her telling me a story about her church holding a local toy drives for children in need. She said she was about 13 or so and she donated this ugly purse to the toy drive. Well their family happened to be one of the families receiving gifts from the church that year, and low and behold she was given that old ugly purse right back.

As a young child we never knew we were poor. My mother would swallow her pride, scrimp and save, or even order small toys and things from the back of cereal boxes to insure that we always had something for our birthdays and at Christmas. She told me once that Shawn and I were hungry and there was nothing in the house except for a bottle of ketchup. So she made a big production of this great new soup… ketchup soup. We ate every bite with a smile on our face.

After my sister, Sarah was born, and realizing that her situation would never change if she didn't make the change, she enrolled in nursing school. I still remember her graduation and how big her smile was when she walked across the stage.

After working for a few years in Wisconsin we relocated to Texas where she worked at Scott and White for over 25 years. She worked in the ICU unit for many years before transferring to admissions. Over the years we have seen her laugh, cry, and even yell out in frustration about something going on at work. She LOVED being a nurse and has made many friends throughout the years. It meant everything to her to have a lasting connection to those she cared for while they were in the hospital. During that time, their family was also her family. She went out of her way to make sure they had everything and anything they needed to make their stay comfortable and continued this relationship with many after they were discharged.

My mother loved many things that most of us tolerated just because we loved her. Mainly, her obsession for Billy Ray Cyrus and her love of Star Trek. We have tagged along to many concerts and conventions grudgingly because we knew it would make her smile and act like she was 15 all over again. I remember she stood for over 7 hours in front of the stage where Billy Ray Cyrus was performing at the Texas State Fair just to ensure she was center stage front row. When she committed to something she went at it with everything she had.

My mother was happiest when she was surrounded by her grandchildren and family during visits or holidays. There was always a story to be told the following year about something that had happened that none of us could ever live down.

My mother met her husband, David, while they both were working at Scott and White. No marriage is perfect, but they were the perfect match. Equally mismatched for each other. Through this marriage, my mother not only met her soul mate, but also gained another daughter.

We will get through this. We are Dysfunctionally functioning, we laugh, cut up, and pick on each other. We are a strong family. She wouldn't have it any other way.

Karen is survived by her loving husband David Reid, and her children. Daughter, Shannon McFarland and husband Chris, Daughter, Sara White and husband Cliff, Daughter, Shelley Postell and husband Justin, Son, Shawn Huettel and wife Monica.

Grandchildren include, Joshua, Andrew, Zachary, Bishop, Taylor, DJ (aka:Junior), Allie and Aubrey.

Visitation

HarperTalasek Funeral Home
500 W. Barton Ave.
Temple, TX  76501
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
6 - 8 PM

Service

HarperTalasek Funeral Home
500 West Barton Avenue
Temple, TX  76501
Thursday, October 22, 2015
10:00 AM

Cemetery

Little Flock Cemetery
East Hwy 53
Temple, TX  76501