The Superior Express -

Wayne Allen Reed was born June 9, 1926 to Erma (Hawkins) and Gilbert

Ernest Reed on their farm west of Red Cloud, Neb. He died Aug. 5, 2021, at the Webster County Community Hospital in Red Cloud.

Following graduation from the Red Cloud High School, Wayne was drafted

into the United States Army. While undergoing basic training in Texas, World War II ended and he was assigned to Army occupation forces in

Japan until his discharge in 1946.

Prior to his deployment overseas, Wayne married JoAnne Reed of Guide

Rock, where they resided until his death. During their 76-year marriage, they had three daugthers, Diane Reed of Arlington, Va., and Mary Susanne Wohlers (Gary) of Louisville, Neb. Their third daughter, Dixie, preceded Wayne in death in 1969.

Wayne had a busy and diverse work career. A long time farmer, he also raised cattle, including registered herefords, drove a Caterpillar and semi-trucks, owned beehives and was a skilled carpenter who operated his own sawmill. In the 1960s, he served six years as police marshall in Guide Rock. He was gifted with a natural talent as a musician who could play the organ, keyboard, fiddle, harmonica, guitar and ukulele. He was an avid reader who especially enjoyed western literature.

Among other hobbies, Wayne liked to travel and was an excellent baker. In his early 90s, he successfully completed certification as a ham radio operator.

For many years he attended the Methodist Church and was a member of the Masonic Temple.

In addition to his wife and two daughters, he is survived by four grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

His funeral will be held at the Williams Funeral Home in Red Cloud. Interment with military honors will be at the Red Cloud Cemetery.