Earl E. Reed

Earl E. Reed, 83, Mosinee, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 22, 2026, with his family by his side at Marshfield Medical Center, Weston.

Earl was born on February 4, 1943, son of the late Elmer and Agnes (Gabauer) Reed. He married Elaine Resler on May 4, 1963, at St. Paul Catholic Church, Mosinee, she survives.

Earls story begins as a hard-working boy on his parent’s dairy farm out in Rocky Ridge. He soon was fixing cars and selling them. He changed his first car engine by himself at age 11! I’m sure the old timers will remember his orange #7, 1956 Chevy hobby stock car that he raced at the local tracks. He soon met the love of his life, Elaine. They married and raised three children. To those who were lucky enough to have the privilege of knowing Earl, will remember him as a good hearted, hard-working, exceptionally smart man. He always had a clever, funny one liner that he would slip in during any conversation. He was a man that chose a simple life. He loved being out in the woods enjoying nature. You could often find him cutting up firewood and hauling it out with his beloved D17 Allis Chalmers tractor. He also loved deer hunting and was extremely skilled at it! He loved spending much of his time up north at his cottage and always made time to visit the casino. He loved fishing on Lake Michigan, often catching huge salmon and trout. It was well known by everybody that he could fix anything he laid his hands on. He loved Sheba and Skeeter, their two Dobermans. The times they spent with them were among the most special. Sadly, they preceded him in death. He worked many years at Mosinee Paper Mill as a machine tender. Earl seemed to always have a smile on his face and enjoyed life. His good-natured, happy attitude always put people around him in a good mood. He loved playing his 3-row button accordion. He knew every polka song ever written! He will be so missed and was loved by so many. Heaven is now a brighter place. He was truly an amazing man to say the least.

Earl is survived by his wife Elaine; children, Debbie (Dave) Hafenbredl, Carrie Reed, and Dan (Shelley) Reed; grandchildren, John (Rachael), Dan, Lisa (Chris), Kyle, Adriana (Brian) and Clint; great-grandchildren, Savannah, Scott, Mason, Ryan, Abby and Aribella; brothers, Milo (Rosemary) Reed, and Dave (Pam) Reed; sisters, Mary Fromfield and Evelyn Ciula. Besides his parents, Earl was preceded in death by his siblings, Donna, Delia and Elsie.

A Memorial Service will take place on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at Beste Funeral Home, Mosinee. The Rev. Marion Talaga will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service, all at the Funeral Home. Online condolences can be directed to the family at www.bestefh.com.