Saralee Reeck (1926 – 2021) obituary – Lynden, WA
Saralee reeck
July 31, 1926 – September 18, 2021
Lynden, Washington – Saralee passed into the Lord’s arms with her family by her side on September 18, 2021. She was born to Jesse D. Barnes and Iva May (Nelson) Barnes at the Delta Line Road family farm in Custer, Wash. On July 31, 1926. Saralee joined three older brothers, Daynor, Clayton and Raymond Barnes, who no doubt spoiled their little sister. Growing up, she loved baby kittens and farm animals, playing the piano, ice skating and sledding. She and her family attended Custer Methodist Church. She graduated from Bellingham High School in 1944 and attended business school and Western Washington College. Once there, her friend Charlotte Reeck said: “My brother Merlin is back on leave from the army and will take us ice skating. Thanks to this introduction, Merlin and Saralee met and married in 1950. They had four children with whom she stayed at home until they were well in school. She then worked as an accountant for 18 years at Northwest Radiology. After her retirement, she and Merlin enjoyed gardening, tending to their small Christmas tree farm in Lynden, traveling to Alaska to fish and visit family, and a special trip to Oberammergau and Europe. Great family memories were made at their beach hut at Sandy Point, blueberry picking at Mount Baker, clam picking at Birch Bay, and pond skating. Saralee loved to cook and passed this gift on to her grandchildren. She was an active member of the Garden Street United Methodist Church. We were grateful that she was able to attend the Barnes family picnic this summer and celebrate her 95th birthday. Recently, she has enjoyed watching hummingbirds, receiving cards and visits from her nephews and nieces, Darrel Barnes (Bette), Carol Del Corral and Rae (Art) Schouweiler, as well as Hospice volunteer Pat. We appreciate so much all of the care she received from her Cordata Court caregivers and palliative care team. Saralee had a wonderful smile and never met a rose she didn’t want to smell! She is survived by her four children, Cindy (Steve) Wouters, David (Ronna) Reeck, Robert (Jill) Reeck and Philip (Mary) Reeck; grandchildren Tom (Ansie) Wouters, Lorna (Craig) Hougen, Kristin (Dustin) Harris, Kenny (Ali) Reeck, Kelsey (Harry Lloyd) Reeck, Kaitlyn Reeck, Tonna (Stuart) James, Donya Foidel and Tara (Brett) Nebeker; sister-in-law, Charlotte Aamot; eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Memorials can be made to the Whatcom Hospice Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis, Meals on Wheels, or the United Methodist Church in Garden Street.
A celebration of life will take place at a later date. To share your memories of Saralee, please visit her guestbook online at www.molesfarewelltributes.com.
July 31, 1926 – September 18, 2021
Lynden, Washington – Saralee passed into the Lord’s arms with her family by her side on September 18, 2021. She was born to Jesse D. Barnes and Iva May (Nelson) Barnes at the Delta Line Road family farm in Custer, Wash. On July 31, 1926. Saralee joined three older brothers, Daynor, Clayton and Raymond Barnes, who no doubt spoiled their little sister. Growing up, she loved baby kittens and farm animals, playing the piano, ice skating and sledding. She and her family attended Custer Methodist Church. She graduated from Bellingham High School in 1944 and attended business school and Western Washington College. Once there, her friend Charlotte Reeck said: “My brother Merlin is back on leave from the army and will take us ice skating. Thanks to this introduction, Merlin and Saralee met and married in 1950. They had four children with whom she stayed at home until they were well in school. She then worked as an accountant for 18 years at Northwest Radiology. After her retirement, she and Merlin enjoyed gardening, tending to their small Christmas tree farm in Lynden, traveling to Alaska to fish and visit family, and a special trip to Oberammergau and Europe. Great family memories were made at their beach hut at Sandy Point, blueberry picking at Mount Baker, clam picking at Birch Bay, and pond skating. Saralee loved to cook and passed this gift on to her grandchildren. She was an active member of the Garden Street United Methodist Church. We were grateful that she was able to attend the Barnes family picnic this summer and celebrate her 95th birthday. Recently, she has enjoyed watching hummingbirds, receiving cards and visits from her nephews and nieces, Darrel Barnes (Bette), Carol Del Corral and Rae (Art) Schouweiler, as well as Hospice volunteer Pat. We appreciate so much all of the care she received from her Cordata Court caregivers and palliative care team. Saralee had a wonderful smile and never met a rose she didn’t want to smell! She is survived by her four children, Cindy (Steve) Wouters, David (Ronna) Reeck, Robert (Jill) Reeck and Philip (Mary) Reeck; grandchildren Tom (Ansie) Wouters, Lorna (Craig) Hougen, Kristin (Dustin) Harris, Kenny (Ali) Reeck, Kelsey (Harry Lloyd) Reeck, Kaitlyn Reeck, Tonna (Stuart) James, Donya Foidel and Tara (Brett) Nebeker; sister-in-law, Charlotte Aamot; eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Memorials can be made to the Whatcom Hospice Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis, Meals on Wheels, or the United Methodist Church in Garden Street.
A celebration of life will take place at a later date. To share your memories of Saralee, please visit her guestbook online at www.molesfarewelltributes.com.
Published by Bellingham Herald on September 26, 2021.