Adrienne E. Reese

Adrienne Eldena Semrau-Reese was born on March 25, 1947, the fifth of six children born to Louis and Jane Semrau. She was raised in Tonawanda, New York, just 12 miles north of Buffalo. Shortly after graduating in 1965, Adrienne married the love of her life, Gary Reese Sr., on June 21,1965 and they shared 55 years together.

Adrienne’s childhood was filled with treasured memories of time spent with her parents and siblings, family trips, and outdoor adventures. She loved going to parks and beaches, boating, roller skating, attending hockey games, car races, and proudly participating in parades as a member of the color guard. Throughout her life, she held special passions for bald eagles, covered bridges, patriotism, crafting, and of course her dog Bailee.

She especially loved the holidays — most of all Christmas — transforming her home each year into a winter wonderland that her family look forward to every year. Adrienne was also an avid sports fan and a devoted supporter of the Buffalo Bills and the Nebraska Cornhuskers, though she enjoyed watching nearly any sporting event including golf.

In 1976, when Gary Sr. accepted a position with Western Electric, the family relocated to Omaha, Nebraska. Adrienne embraced the move wholeheartedly and always believed it was one of the best decisions for her family. The friendships formed over the years became priceless and lifelong. She began working for the Millard Public School District in 1977 and remained there until her retirement in 2006.

Adrienne and Gary Sr. made it a priority to return to New York once or twice each year to visit family. Later, when their two sons moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and Denver, Colorado, they traveled frequently to spend time with them. Together, Adrienne and Gary set a goal of visiting all 50 states — a goal they proudly accomplished — and their travels also took them throughout much of the Caribbean.

Family was the center of Adrienne’s world. She deeply loved and cherished her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was endlessly proud of their accomplishments and unwavering in her support during both joyful and difficult times. Adrienne made every effort to attend her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s school programs, sporting events, and milestones — anything that mattered to them mattered to her.

Even in her later years, after the loss of Gary Sr., Adrienne continued to pour herself into her family. She hosted gatherings, went to the lake with her daughters, and never passed up an opportunity to play a round of putt-putt with anyone willing. When she wasn’t with family, she treasured time with friends and neighbors, enjoying lunches and card games.

Adrienne was truly an extraordinary woman who wore many titles with grace and love — daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. She will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to know her.

Adrienne was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Jane Semrau; her beloved husband, Gary Reese Sr.; her grandson, Cole Rawlings; her brother, Louis Semrau; and her sisters, Sharon Quaintance and Janice Hayes.

She is survived by her children: Gary Reese Jr. (Wanda), Debbie Reese, Tracy Reese Rawlings, Michael Reese (Becki), and Renee Reese (Dylan); her brothers, Butch and Lee Semrau; her grandchildren: Ashley Milius, Desiree Moore, Dane Reese, Jacqueline Rawlings, Sydney Reineke, Zacharey Rawlings, Kyron Reese, Garrett Reese, Jessie Bestenlehner, and Jayden Bestenlehner; and her great-grandchildren: Serenity Milius, Channing Jones, Madison Milius, Maddox Deason, Kinzley Deason, Marianna Taibi, Malarie Rawlings, Reese Rawlings, Wesley Rawlings, Cale Reese, Connor Reese, and Reese Reineke, along with many other cherished family members and friends.

A visitation will be held at Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home on February 7, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. A Memory Sharing Service will follow beginning at 2:00 pm.