Nancy Louise Reeder

Nancy Louise (Clare) Reeder, Olathe, Kansas, passed away on August 28, 2026.

Nancy was born on November 30, 1946, in Vandalia, Illinois to Hugh Thomas Clare and Nanette May (Corson) Clare.

She lived with her family in Greenville, IL and attended school with her 2 brothers and 3 sisters. She and her 3 sisters sang in the church choir and at many activities for special requests. She also sang in the high school chorus and learned to play piano from her mother.

After HS Graduation she attended Sparks Business College in Shelbyville, IL, where she dated her future husband. After graduation in 1966 with a Secretary Degree, she moved to Springfield, IL and worked as a secretary for the State of Illinois Department of Health, Civil Defense Section.

In 1968 she married the love of her life, US Army 2nd Lieutenant John J. Reeder in Greenville, IL. They moved to Mineral Wells, TX and then Enterprise, AL, for John’s Helicopter training, and she learned about Army life. In 1969 John was sent to Viet Nam for one year so Nancy moved back to Springfield, IL to work for the State of Illinois. She was able to spent one week with John in Hawaii, during his deployment, for rest and sightseeing. In 1970 they returned to Enterprise, AL where she worked as the secretary to the Dean of Admissions for Enterprise Jr. College. They spent 3 months in Georgia while John did Army training exercises. In 1972 her son Brian was born.

In 1973 John left the Army and the new family moved to Springfield, IL to finish his bachelor’s degree. After graduation in 1975, they moved to Boone, IA. In 1976 her daughter Elizabeth was born. In 1980 they moved to Olathe, KS where she lived for 46 years. After her two children were born, she did not work outside of the home and was a homemaker by trade. She was a dedicated room mother and part of the PTA. She also was a co-leader of her daughter Elizabeth’s Brownie and Girl Scout troops. Nancy was a woman of faith and attended Christ Presbyterian Church for many years where she was a part of many women’s groups and bible studies. SHE WAS A LOVING WIFE, MOTHER, AND GRANDMOTHER. She fought Colon Cancer for ten years and it was finally too much for her.

Her grandson Jordan was the light of her life and she loved him immensely. When he was 3 years old and diagnosed with Leukemia, she spent many of her days watching him while Elizabeth worked and also accompanying them to some of his appointments at Children’s Mercy downtown. They created such a special bond that carried through the years. She was so proud of all of his accomplishments in school, especially in theater and attended all of his musical productions throughout the years in school and through the Culture House and was one of his #1 fans!

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Thomas Martin Clare and Birdie Estella Noe (McLean) Clare, her paternal grandparents, Howard Benson Corson and Vivian M. (Elliott) Corson; her parents, Hugh Thomas Clare and Nannette May (Corson) Clare; her son, Brian Christopher Reeder; her brothers, Michael Corson Clare and Huge Thomas Clare Jr; her sister, Vivian Ann (Clare) Lilly; and her aunt, Louise (Clare) Wernle.

She is survived by her husband, John J. Reeder of Olathe, KS; her daughter, Elizabeth Ann Reeder of Gardner, KS; her grandson, Jordan Marquis Reeder of NJ; and her sisters, Ada Lynn (Clare) Johnson of OH and Susan Elliott (Clare) Kohno of IL.

The family will receive guests for a Visitation on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 pm, at Penwell-Gabel’s Olathe Chapel. The Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, September 3, 2026, also at Penwell-Gabel’s Olathe Chapel, with burial at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions in Nancy’s honor may be given to the Salvation Army.

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