Mary Ann Reese

Click Here To View Memorial Video Dearly beloved, Mary Ann Reese, has soared away to join her Savior and reside for eternity in the mansion she built while here on earth. Ann is the much-adored wife of L. Eugene Reese, having lived in joyous matrimony for nearly 60 years with him after their marriage in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. She is the blessed mother of six children; David (Shirley) Reese of Idaho Falls; Diana (Victor) Bunitsky of Virginia City, Montana; Kirk (Lisa) Reese of Idaho Falls; Mike (Tracie) Reese of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Lance (Lorette) Reese of Longwood, Florida; and Angela Reese of Idaho Falls. Little Annie was born on September 9, 1936, in Milo, Idaho; first-born of Lela and LeGrand Leavitt. Her early years were spent moving back and forth from Idaho to Utah. She made Idaho her permanent home at the beginning of her ninth grade. Along the way, her parents blessed her with loving siblings: Grand Darnell (Faye) Leavitt of Idaho Falls; Gwen (Blaine) Snarr of Layton, Utah; Steven (Terry) Leavitt of Idaho Falls; and Chris (Tom) Baccus of The Villages, Florida. A tight second to Mary Ann's love for her family was her love of music, a talent she inherited from her father. She sang beautifully in high school operettas, college choir, Tunesmiths, Idaho Falls Federated Music Club, Choralaires, Belle Canto, and at most any opportunity that presented itself; oftentimes in heavenly harmony with her husband, Gene. As a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she was frequently called upon to share her musical talents as a soloist, chorister and pianist. A particular highlight in her life was leading The Singing Sisters, a 90-voice choir, in a special Christmas concert, during which “Love One Another” was introduced to the area. It was no surprise that with a mother for a poet, Ann also had a talent for writing, which she exercised by writing poetry and short stories. “The First Snow” was published by the National Essay Anthology, and “Georgie's First Christmas” won a local contest in her senior year of high school. It was a thrill to also graduate from Seminary and be presented with her diploma by President David O. McKay. Mary Ann attended Idaho State College and graduated from the Idaho Falls Business College. She was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta and Lambda Delta Sigma sororities. She loved math, and gladly supported her spouse, financially and educationally, while he earned his Masters Degree in Mathematics at BYU. Mom loved to read, and filled her home with books of every genre. She also loved her callings as temple worker and visiting teacher. She had a delightful sense of humor and a voracious appetite for experiences and knowledge of all things. Most importantly, she loved being a daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She strived to share with each of them her many talents, gifts, experiences, knowledge, her ever-attentive ear, and most of all, her endless love. Nothing made her happier than to be at a blessing or baptism, homecoming or sporting event, concert or graduation, but especially when family gathered in her home to eat, sing, gab, and play cards together. Ann is survived by her spouse, four siblings, six children, 27 grandchildren, and 40 2/3 great-grandchildren, and countless loving cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, fostered children, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; granddaughter, Annie Lee Reese; and grandson, Victor Bunitsky III. We're sure they were all there to welcome her in joyous celebration of a life well-lived when she sailed through the pearly gates to join them. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 24, 2015, at the Mountain View LDS Ward, 1450 Mountain View Lane, with Bishop Randy Wheeler officiating. The family will visit with her loved ones and admirers Friday from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Avenue, and Saturday at 9:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will follow at the Milo Cemetery.

Funeral Services will be held

11:00 a.m. ,Saturday, October 24, 2015 Idaho Falls LDS Mountain View Ward 1450 Mountain View Lane Idaho Falls, ID, Bonneville 83402 Notes: The family will visit with friends Friday from 6-7:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home (273 N. Ridge Ave.) and Saturday at 9:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Milo Cemetery.