Marvel L. Reko

FUNERAL SERVICES : 1:00 P.M. Thursday, October 1, 2009 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with Scott Warne officiating.VISITATION : from noon until the time of service at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids on Thursday, October 1, 2009.INTERMENT : Will be held at a later date in the Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids, MN.SURVIVORS : She is survived by her three children: Judith (Rodger) Harsha of Park Rapids, Cynthia (Marvin) Streiff of Austin, MN and Joseph (Wendy) Reko Jr. of Masonville, Co; two brothers, Orval (Mable) Ladely of Dorset, MN, and Joseph L. (Carlene) Ladely Jr. of Petaluma, CA; six grandsons; ten great grandchildren; 7 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews. MARVEL L. REKOMay 20, 1920 ~ September 26, 2009 Marvel L. (Ladely) Reko, age 89 of Park Rapids, MN formerly of Nevis, MN, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at Heritage Cottages in Park Rapids, MN. Marvel was born on May 20, 1920 to Joseph and Lona Ladley in Devils Lake, ND. She attended grade school in rural Devils Lake at Webster School and high school in Devils Lake. After her high school graduation, she and her family moved to Dorset, MN in 1940 where she met Jesse "Merton" Reko. They married on December 11, 1941. A few days after they were married, Merton was drafted into the United States Army Air Force for World War II. She stayed in Dorset with her parents until their daughter Judith was born in May of 1943. Merton and Marvel then moved to Texas for the duration of the war. Returning to Park Rapids, they built a home and established a business: Reko Plumbing and Heating. In 1948, they had a second daughter Cynthia and in 1956, a son Joseph Jesse was born. Marvel was instrumental in helping run the business as a secretary and answering service. She also helped on service calls. They ran the business until November of 1982 when Merton passed away. Marvel then took over the care of her elderly mother Lona, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer"s. Lona lived to be 97 years old. After that time she sold her home in Park Rapids, and moved to the Lake. She loved being at the lake. It was her special world. During those years she also did daycare, worked at ABC Nursery School, cleaned homes, worked at National Tea Grocery Store, did in store demonstrations, and taught Girl Scouts. But mostly she was a great wife and mother. She loved to sew, knit, crochet, do craft work, and garden. On September 1, 2009 she moved to Heritage Cottages Assisted Living, where she lived for 26 days. She is survived by her three children: Judith (Rodger) Harsha of Park Rapids, Cynthia (Marvin) Streiff of Austin, MN and Joseph (Wendy) Reko Jr. of Masonville, Co; two brothers, Orval (Mable) Ladely of Dorset, MN, and Joseph L. (Carlene) Ladely Jr. of Petaluma, CA; six grandsons; ten great grandchildren; 7 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jesse "Merton" Reko; her sister, Genevieve Mack, and one infant sister; one brother, Kenneth Ladely; her parents, Joseph L. Ladely Sr. and Lona M. (Sanders) Ladely; and one granddaughter, Sara Elizabeth Harsha. The family would like to express their gratitude to her health care providers and Dr. Benson. A special thank you to her niece, Jenny Lee Warne. We also want to thank the late Myron Harsha for helping Marvel learn independence and confidence after the loss of her husband. Memorial services for Marvel Lavina Reko will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, October 1, 2009 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids. Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon Thursday, October 1, 2009 at the funeral home until time of service. A coffee gathering will be held at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home following the service for all to attend.