Martha Ann Reem

Martha Ann Lee Reem, 76, of Detroit Lakes passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at Essentia Health St. Mary's Hospital in Detroit Lakes, MN. Martha Ann Pratt was born March 17, 1939 in Shelbyville, TN. She was orphaned at 2 years old when her mother, Ella Mae Pratt Gale, passed away from tuberculosis. Martha's step-father brought her to Fergus Falls, MN where his elderly sister-in-law cared for her for a short while. That is where she met Norman and Rose Lee, a childless couple who lived down the street. They fell in love with the skinny little girl with huge eyes and a southern accent; so much so, that they adopted her in 1944. After a short move to Hastings, NE, they ended up in Aitkin, MN where Martha attended school until she graduated in 1957. Martha married Benny Reem, the love of her life, on November 23, 1957 and they spent 53 happy years together until Ben's passing on March 3, 2011. Martha was a stay-at-home mom while her 3 children were growing up and they could always count on mom being home after school and the smell of freshly baked cookies wafting throughout. After her children were grown, she spent a few years as a door-to-door Avon Lady; which was no small undertaking for someone as shy and quiet as Martha. During their first 30 years of marriage, Ben and Martha moved several times; Minneapolis, Clear Lake, SD; Bismarck, ND; Mandan, ND; Detroit Lakes, MN - and back to Mandan where they stayed until their children all graduated from high school. From there they moved to Crandon, WI, and then to Crookston, MN, where they owned and operated a mom and pop motel for 4 years. After selling the motel in 1991, they moved to Detroit Lakes where they finely settled down. Martha had a beautiful singing voice and was active in choir throughout her school years and for many years thereafter in church choirs. She also sang at numerous weddings and funerals in her younger days. Her hobbies included playing bridge, knitting, crocheting, solving crossword puzzles and she was an avid watcher of Days of Our Lives for almost 40 years. Her penmanship was a work of art and songs could be written about her scrumptious stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy! Most people after meeting Martha would describe her as sweet, gentle, and kind. She was a true lady in every sense of the word. She is survived by two daughters; Melody Kruckenberg (Ralph Packulak), Detroit Lakes, MN and Brenda Wheelock (Donald), Inkom, ID; six grandsons; Dr. Nathan Wilson (Dr. Julia Polito), Moscow, ID; Keith Kruckenberg, Bismarck, ND; Scott Kruckenberg, Detroit Lakes, MN; Matthew Wheelock, Cle Elum, WA; Andrew Wheelock (Monica), Duluth, GA; and Jonathan Wheelock, Silverdale, WA; one great-granddaughter; Madeline Wilson, Moscow, ID; one sister-in-law; Marjorie Voltz, Detroit Lakes, MN, her kitty, Teemu and several nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her husband, Ben Reem; son, Patrick Reem; parents, Norman and Rose Lee; and in-laws, Charles and Emily Reem.