Hilbert “Bert” Reese, age 91 of Northfield, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at the Ramblin R Ranch, on Tuesday evening, November 14, 2023.
Hilbert Norman Reese was born January 20, 1932, in Goodhue, Minnesota, to Arthur and Amanda (Lohmeyer) Reese, Sr. He was raised on the family farm, attended St. John’s Lutheran Parochial School and graduated from Goodhue High School in 1949. He enrolled at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where he played football and baseball. In 1953, he received his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physical Education.
In September 1954, Bert was drafted into the US Army. Following basic training he was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany, where he played baseball and football for the Army team - playing on the team that won the European Football League Championship. Following his Honorable Discharge in August 1956, he returned to Goodhue.
On a blind date at St. Olaf Homecoming in October 1956, Norseman Bert met an Ole named Bernadine “Bernie” Temple. Not long after - in April of 1957 - Bert proposed to Bernie at Lyman Lakes on the Carleton College Campus. They married on June 22, 1957, at the Congregational Baptist Church in Northfield (now First Congregational - UCC). After marriage, they made their home in Rosemount and Bert attended the University of Minnesota on the GI Bill where he majored in Accounting and soon passed the CPA Exam. The next year they moved to Cottage Grove where they lived near Bernie’s brother Norman Temple and his wife Helen. In 1959, Bert began working for the CPA firm Dolen, Ritterford in downtown Minneapolis and then in Faribault. Soon thereafter they moved to a 40-acre hobby farm outside Castle Rock where they made their home for the next 16 years. The 5 B’s - Bert, Bernie, Brett, Bob and Becky living on the Ramblin R Ranch. Bernie’s sisters, Pat and Sharon, spent some time living with them in the early years - and Bert had his hands full with the 3 Temple sisters. The neighboring Torbenson Family became life-long friends, with the Reese kids spending lots of time with them. Especially during tax season spending “many a night” with their adopted Family.
In 1963, Bert established his own accounting business and Bernie worked alongside him during the tax season. A tradition after each tax season was celebrating with their kids, by staying the weekend in the Cites at a hotel with a pool. The firm went through many iterations on its way to becoming Reese, Winter and Associates - recently celebrating their 50th Anniversary. Bert & Bernie retired in 2001. In 1975, Bernie, Bert and family moved to their country ranch just south of Northfield on Falk Trail, where they lived for 41 years until moving into Northfield in November 2016 … living in Thye Court, a neighborhood community they enjoyed very much.
Bert was active in the Northfield community, serving many organizations. Some of these include as an active member and former president and treasurer of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, and a founding board member and treasurer of the Northfield Retirement Community - serving for over 30 years. He also, served on the Northfield School Board, volunteered his time at the Northfield Senior Center, and rode in the Jesse James Gang during the bank reenactments in the 1960’s.
Bert was a Man of Faith, loved his family, and enjoyed his friends. Bert modeled great behavior of faith, values, and work ethics that he taught and instilled in his children. Every year he and wife Bernie took the family on an annual trip together. He participated in many sports - basketball, baseball, football, golf, handball and bowling - and also was an avid sport spectator. Bert had many hobbies and enjoyed working in his yard and garden, canning foods, caring for their horses, playing Bridge with Bernie, and serving the community. As a couple they were inseparable and best friends – married for 65 years - experiencing life together in faith, family, work, horse-life and travel.
Survivors include his children Brett (Janna) of Northfield, Bob (Charlotte) of Lakeville, Rebecca (Scott) Elleraas of Chaska; his daughter-in-law Michele Reese of Northfield; 6 grandchildren Meredith and Milly Reese, Austin and Allison Reese, Jamie and Leah Elleraas; his brothers Donald (Lila) of Goodhue, Harlan (Betty Lou) of Goodhue; his sisters-in-law Donna Reese of Hutchinson, Patricia (John) Day of Randolph, Sharon (Richard) Engdahl of Stillwater, Eleanor Temple of Tonka Bay; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Bernie, on October 28, 2022, 3 brothers Arthur Jr. (Velva Mae), Luverne (Lenea), John, and his parents Art and Amanda.
Funeral services were held at 11:30AM, Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church with lunch following. Visitation was at 4:00PM - 6:00PM, Monday, November 20, at Bierman, Benson & Langehough Funeral Home and Tuesday at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church beginning at 10:30AM. Interment with Military Honors was in Oaklawn Cemetery, Northfield. Pallbearers were his grandchildren.
Memorials are preferred to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Hosanna Church, the Northfield Retirement Community or the donor’s choice.
Arrangements are with the Bierman, Benson & Langehough Funeral Home. www.northfieldfuneral.com
