Dolores Rose Reed

HURLEY, Wis. - Dolores Rose Reed, 86, of Hurley, passed away peacefully on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, at the Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley.

Dolores was born on Aug. 31, 1937, in Ironwood, Michigan, to Joseph and Agnes (Betta) Ravanelli. She grew up in Jessieville and attended St. Ambrose Catholic School, graduating in 1955. After graduating, she was employed at the National Metals Bank.

On Sept. 17, 1960, Dolores was united in marriage to James F. Reed. They made their home in Hurley. She cherished her role as a stay-at-home mom to their four daughters, Charlotte, Jean, Lynn and Chrissy. Later, Dolores loved being a full-time babysitter to her grandkids. She never missed an event for her kids or grandkids and was always their biggest and loudest cheerleader - sometimes maybe too loud! Dolores enjoyed spending her summers at the family cottage on Pine Lake, and having the grandkids for "Pine Lake Summer Camp" when school let out.

She was a faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley, and was a lector, catechism teacher and volunteer for many years.

Dolores was a fantastic cook who embraced her Italian heritage. She made the best homemade spaghetti sauce with meatballs, canadels, jams, canned peppers, antipasto and soups, but it was her famous banana split dessert that many felt was legendary. When you stopped for a visit, you were always encouraged to "Mangia," and if you ever left her home hungry, it was your own fault.

Dolores loved to be on the go: From traveling, shopping or trips to the casino, to lunch with the Oma ladies or dinner with family and friends, if the car was moving, she was in it! Dolores loved being social - there wasn't anyone she couldn't (and didn't) talk to, and she left an impression on everyone she met. Dolores had a heart of gold and would go over and above for anybody and everybody.

Dolores is survived by her husband of nearly 64 years, James; three daughters, Jean Reed, Lynn (Glen) Kuklinski and Christine (Nathan) Krone; her son-in-law, Brian Gaudreau; six cherished grandchildren, Crystal Kuklinski (Jake Peters), Brittany (Mike) Saubert, James Kuklinski, Taylor Gaudreau, Molly Gaudreau and Nathan Krone; two precious great-grandchildren, Ollie and Reed Saubert; two sisters-in-law, Kathleen Reed and Lila Reed; her brother-in-law, Tom (Edrye) Doman; many nieces and nephews; and other loving relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Charlotte Gaudreau, on Aug. 30, 2023; three brothers, John "Black" Ravanelli, Joseph Ravanelli and Livio Ravanelli; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Frieda (Endrizzi) Reed; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Robert Reed, Betty Ann (Forrest) Skibba, Patrick (Mary Jo) Reed, Mary Carol Doman and George Reed; and two nieces, Donna Reed and Nikki Reed-Ziehr.

The family would like to thank the staff at Villa Maria for not only the wonderful care they gave to Dolores the past two years, but for making Jim part of the Villa family, and the compassion they have shown since her passing.

In lieu of flowers or planting trees, please consider a donation to Dolores' favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908, or do a kind deed in her memory: bring a meal to a sick friend, take someone to a doctor's appointment, send a care package to a distant relative, or go visit an old friend, just as Dolores would've done.

"There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone, the light remains." - Author Unknown

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Aug. 16, at 2 p.m., preceded by visitation in the St. Joseph Family Room at 1 p.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, 108 S. Marquette Street, in Ironwood, with the Rev. Brian Gerber, celebrant.

Rite of Committal and interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Hurley.

A luncheon will be served at the parish hall immediately upon return from the cemetery.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, Michigan, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory, please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.