Frances “Mardelle” Reed, 97, of Basco, passed away at 11:10 PM Saturday evening, January 29, 2022, at Hickory Grove Assisted Living in Carthage.

Mardelle was born July 29, 1924, in Basco, Illinois, the daughter of Harry and Hattie (Gavillet) Launer.  She attended Basco High School for three years and graduated from Hamilton High School in 1942.  On May 27th, 1943 she was united in marriage to Ernest Huls at Immanuel Lutheran Church near Basco.  He preceded her in death in 1978.  She was later united in marriage to Phillip Reed on February 14, 1981.  He preceded her in death in 1996.  Mardelle had worked at Keokuk Area Hospital for twenty-three years as a nurse’s aide and for Sherricks Home Health for three years. Mardelle was a life-long active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church serving in the Dorcus Doers, preparing packages for soldiers overseas and in the church sewing club that made quilts for school children.  She was a forty-year member of her card club and loved to exercise.  She served on the election board for many years and was the treasurer for the Bear Creek Veteran’s Memorial. Mardell loved to take her Model T to all the area parades. Her son, Gary and grandson Davey took great pleasure in driving it in the parades and showing off her prized possession. 

Mardelle is survived by her daughter, Bonnie (Jack) Lafeber of Basco; daughter-in-laws, Margaret Huls of Basco and Cheryl Huls of Carthage; step-sons, Robert (Donna) Reed of Laughlin, NV and Gary (Mary) Reed of Quincy; 18 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, and 19 great-great grandchildren; a sister, Marilyn Cameron of Basco; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Ernest and Phillip; two sons, Jim Huls and Gary Huls; a stepson, Rolland Reed; a grandson, Jeff Huls; brothers, Leo Launer, Rodney Launer, Don Launer, and Homer Launer; sisters, Leota Antoine, Jean Berg, Wilma Shay, and Mabel Heagy.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at Immanuel Lutheran Church near Basco with burial to follow in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 9:30 AM to time of service.  Memorials may be directed to the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hickory Grove Assisted Living or The Blessing Hospice.  Printy Funeral Home of Carthage is in charge of arrangements.