Sheila Kay Reed, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully on September 16, 2025 at the Johnson County Hospital in Tecumseh, NE. She was born to Donald E. and Norma “Bridge” (Higgins) Garris on November 5, 1955 at her grandmother’s home in Tecumseh, Nebraska.

Sheila attended Tecumseh Public Schools throughout her childhood and graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1974. While working alongside her mother at the Ace Café, she met and later married the love of her life, James Reed. They were married March 11, 1977 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ (Maple Grove) in rural Johnson County. They made their home in Tecumseh, NE and raised two children together.

Sheila was a life-long, dedicated caregiver and an extraordinarily hard worker. She helped her mother babysit many children in the community and continued this while her own children were young. She raised dachshunds and basset hounds with her family for many years as well as caring for rabbits, pot-bellied pigs, chickens, and ponies throughout the years. She later developed a fondness for pugs and has never been without having at least one dog as a family member in her home. She began working in food service at Tecumseh Public Schools when her children were in school. She also worked for the Krause Meat Locker and in the meat department at Nider’s Grocery in Tecumseh before working in housekeeping at the Johnson County Hospital for eight years until she retired in 2009.

Sheila and Jim enjoyed going to events in town and to the surrounding local communities to listen to live bands play music and they were quite the dancers – once she pulled out her black jeans and boots. She had a love of worn-in blue jeans, denim shirts, and Pepsi. Sheila was an amazing cook for her family and friends, and she was proud to have taught her son-in-law how to make the best gravy for her daughter among many things. She liked spending time outside gardening and caring for the flowerbeds her son created around her home. Sheila and Jim also enjoyed going to area auctions and garage sales to find bargains and treasures that they would share with their family and friends. Above all, Sheila loved spending time with her four granddaughters and her children. She will always and forever be their biggest fan.

Sheila is survived by her devoted husband of 48 years, Jim Reed of Tecumseh; her children, Mark Reed of Tecumseh, Ann (Brian) Britt of Tecumseh; her granddaughters, Amelia Mae, Lila Kay, Nora Irene, and Merida Grace Britt of Tecumseh; her siblings, David (Pat) Garris of Nebraska City, Jerry (Arnette) Garris of Lincoln, Tom (Lori) Garris of Raymond, and Tim (Tracy) Garris of Joplin, MO; brother-in-law Dave Mandery of Tecumseh, and many nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

Sheila was preceded in death by her parents, Donald E. and Norma “Bridge” Garris; her sister, Vicki Mandery; her sisters-inlaw, Carolyn Robertus, Margaret Reed; her brothers-in-law, Leonard Robertus, and Norman Reed.

A Celebration of Life Service was held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska with Pastor Ken Tubbesing officiating. Special music included “Angel” by Sarah McLaughlin and “Go Rest High On That Mountain” by Vince Gill. Honorary pallbearers were granddaughters, Amelia, Lila, Nora and Merida Britt. Inurnment was in the Tecumseh Cemetery, Tecumseh, Nebraska. Memorials may go to the family’s choice. Services were entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, Tecumseh, Nebraska. ***********