Information from Findagrave. 1
Lowell Reding, 94, of Ottawa went home to be with our Lord on Wednesday, April 26, at Pleasant View Luther Home.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 16, at 10:00 am in the chapel at Pleasant View. Visitation will be one hour before the service. The Reverend Drew Reding, a grandson, and the Reverend Tim Underwood of the Illinois Valley Evangelical Free Church, will officiate. Arrangements are through the Mueller Funeral Home.
Lowell was born to Roy F. and Mabel V. Reding. He attended a one-room country school through eighth grade. He grew up on a farm and farmed for several years after graduating from Leland High School and was employed by the U. S. Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. He married Joanne C. Johnson on September 23, 1951, in Elkhart, Indiana. At the age of 38 he decided to further his education to become a teacher. After graduating from LPO Junior College, he received his B.S. in Special Education from Northern Illinois University and his M.S. in Vocational Special Education from the University of Denver. He had sixty additional credits from the National College of Education, Illinois State University, and Southern Illinois University. Lowell began his teaching career at Ottawa High School in 1966. He developed, implemented, and taught the first Special Education classes at OHS. He was also a pre-vocational coordinator for the Cooperative Work Training Program at OHS. He served on the Rutland School Board and was an original board member of Ottawa Friendship House. Lowell was a founding member of the former Faith Lutheran Church in Ottawa. He was an avid gardener, raising unusual fruits and vegetables, as well as being a life-long Cubs fan. He and Joanne loved to travel and attended many Elderhostels.
He is survived by his wife, Joanne, of Ottawa, one daughter, Wendy H. (Henry) Hagenbuch of rural Utica, two sons, Dr. Kurt F. (Heather) Reding of Wichita, Kansas, and Christopher C. (LeAnne) Reding of Ottawa, six grandchildren: Benjamin, Garth, and Rand Hagenbuch, Meghan (Reding) Frishchenmeyer and Drew Reding, and Brittanee Reding, thirteen great grandchildren, and one brother, Jack S. Reding, of DeKalb.
Lowell was preceded in death by a daughter, Kimberly Joanne, in infancy, and one brother, Deane. The family wishes to thank the staff at Pleasant View for providing a loving and caring home for Lowell.