Daniel Bruce Reed

Daniel was born August 13, 1928 in Glendale, CA to Harold and Lois (Mathews) Reed.

At the age of 2, Daniel’s family moved to Lafayette, OH where he lived until going to Milwaukee Bible Institute in Milwaukee, WI. During his time in Lafayette, he and his siblings grew up helping his father in his radio ministry and helping on the farm where other extended family lived. It was during this time that he developed a love for God, music and photography that became a theme throughout his life.

Daniel married Rachel (Nelson) on May 27, 1950 in Milwaukee, WI after graduation from Milwaukee Bible Institute. Daniel and Rachel moved to the eastern plains of Colorado in 1951 to become the Pastor of Bethel Union Church in the community of Anton where he served until they left Anton in September 1972. While in Anton, he continued his education, receiving a BA in Education at Colorado State College in Greeley, CO. He taught at Arickaree School (K-12) as Music Teacher and Elementary Principal as well as teaching English and Social Studies. Later he served as Guidance Counselor with a specialty in vocational and career counseling. He was deeply loved by many of his students and the various faculty members who served with him.

He also worked for several different families in the community, helping out on their farms when extra help was needed. During his time in Anton, he continued his educational growth by pursuing an MA in Psychology and Counseling at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley where he completed his degree in 1968.

In his spare time, he was known for his huge garden that he loved to nourish and which provided much of the food for his large family throughout the year. That along with many gifts of meat from the farmers in the community help in providing for his family. In addition, he could always be found at any sporting event where Arickaree was participating as well as holding band and choir concerts with his prize winning bands and choirs all over the state.

In November of 1967, he was injured in a serious auto accident and as a result of injuries, had limited movement in his left arm and hip. Over the years he had several hip replacements before they removed the hip completely. He learned to live and walk with a cane for many years, before being confined to a wheelchair in his later years. He never let these injuries slow him down and he never complained about them.

When Daniel decided to leave the pastorate at Anton, he took a position with the St. Vrain Valley Career Development Center in Longmont, CO where he served as the Occupational Specialist and Personnel Services Coordinator until his retirement in 1985. He then continued to serve as a substitute teacher for many of the music programs in the St. Vrain Valley School District until his health prevented him from being able to continue. He continued to pursue his part-time job as a professional photographer and took many young couples wedding photos, senior pictures and other special events along with always having his camera at activities, capturing memories for those he knew. He even spent time passing on this passion to his kids and grandkids and spent time teaching his love for photography and was so proud of every accomplishment they made.

Dan and Rachel became members of Grace Evangelical Church in Longmont where he served as a volunteer Sunday School teacher, choir director and Elder from time to time until his health prevented him from being able to serve any longer. He considered Grace his home church until his death.

In addition, he was involved in many different activities where he was able to use his talents and gifts to serve both his Lord and Savior as well as the community through involvement in the Longmont Christian Men’s Committee, teaching writing and photography classes through the St. Vrain Valley Adult Education program and the Longmont Senior Center. He maintained a large garden, raspberry bushes, and fruit trees in his back yard at their home in Longmont. He loved attending any of his grandchildren’s activities and when he was not able to, followed them on Facebook and researching their interests on the web.

After Rachel’s passing in 2007, he moved into the Village Place in Longmont while continuing to be the family patriarch, being a friend and companion to Joyce and Don. Together they were frequently seen in the community at some of their favorite eating places and hosting his family with all the kids, grandkids and great-grandkids at the community room at the Village Place until he was moved to a Nursing Care Center. His final few years were spent at Harmony Point Nursing Care Center in Lakewood where he enjoyed visits with many family and friends. While there he was loved by many of the staff at the center and they will always have a place in our hearts for their loving care of Daniel in those last days.

Daniel was preceded in death by his wife, Rachel in 2007 and his four siblings (Stanley, Dwight, Ruby and Paul) as well as his son-in-law Howard Rozema.

Survivors include his seven children, Judy Rozema of Grandville, MI, Janice Wilkens (Tom) of Castle Rock, CO, David Reed (Sherri) of Monument, CO, Joyce Reed of Longmont, CO, Donald Reed of Longmont, CO, Jacci Jay (Doug) of Arvada, CO and Doug Reed (Ellen) of Milford, MI as well as 12 grandchildren, Nathan Rozema (Larissa), Becky VanTimmeren (Brian), Emily Simon (Evan), Rachel Bates (Brian), Lindsey Gradisar (Wynn), Heather Myhr (Adam), Erin Watson (Mike), Brittany Griffin (Tom), Jonathan Reed, Holly Leisey (David), Megan Jay and Angela Jay. He was blessed to enjoy time with his 8 great-grandchildren and was anticipating the birth of his 9th due in January.

At the current time, a small private family service is planned for early January. Plans for a memorial service for extended family and friends will be scheduled for late summer 2021 close to his birthday.

Cremation will take place at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel and Crematory.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hope’s Promise (hopespromise.com/donate), Longmont Meals on Wheels (longmontmeals.org/give) or Missionary Aviation Fellowship (9011 Rozema Fund) (give.maf.org/donate/tribute).

Please visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to leave a message for his family.