Trudy Reeves, age 98, of Crete, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2026, surrounded by family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, aunt, great-grandmother, and friend whose warmth, grace, and kindness touched many lives. She was known for her vivacious personality and charming spirit.

Gertrude Martha Nolte Reeves was born September 14, 1927, in the parsonage of St. John's Lutheran Church in Westboro, Missouri, to Meta Augusta Stuehmer and the Rev. Dr. Frederick William Nolte III. Her magical childhood was shaped by both family and church. She was active in school, excelling in sports and singing, and graduated from Tarkio High School in 1945. Last May she attended her 80th High School Class Reunion.

Because her father often hosted church leaders and international visitors, Trudy stepped in when her mother became ill and learned early how to graciously welcome guests and engage in lively conversation on a wide variety of subjects including sports, science, art, music, history, and current events.

She graduated from Midland Lutheran College in 1949, where she was active in campus life as a member of Tri Phi Sorority, Student Congress, and Pep Club. She was honored as Best Dressed and named Miss Congeniality and was frequently asked to serve as a hostess when the college entertained guests. Her father was a frequent speaker at Midland, one of the institutions under his Synod.

Trudy began her career in education in Norfolk, Nebraska, teaching English and Physical Education at the high school and at Norfolk Community College. After her mother's death, she returned to Tarkio, Missouri, where she taught German and Physical Education at Tarkio High School.

During summers she continued her education and pursued many interests. She took graduate classes at several universities, including a summer at the University of Colorado in Boulder studying mountain climbing. Other summers included travel to places like FL and MA to learn swimming, archery, snorkeling and lifeguarding. She also spent three months touring Europe, driving across the continent in a Citroën convertible she had ordered from a factory in France.

Trudy became the first woman to graduate from the University of Nebraska with a master's degree in Physical Education and also earned a master's degree in Guidance and Counseling.

She was actively recruited by several major universities, including the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where she could have been head of the men's and women's tennis program. However, after visiting Doane, she fell in love with the campus and its mission. She also wanted to teach more than tennis and chose to join the Doane faculty. She brought lots of new sports to the college and coached the legendary Water Dolphins, a synchronized swimming team. She also taught weekly etiquette lessons during the formal dinners each Sunday.

On November 25, 1960, she married Lloyd Reeves at St. John's, her father's church in Missouri where she was also baptized and confirmed by her father. Together Trudy & Lloyd shared 52 years of marriage in Crete until Lloyd's passing in 2012, where they owned the Crete News until 2018. They served multiple times as Chairman of the Crete Area Campaign for Doane. They were deeply involved in the community in various organizations. The couple was honored by the Crete community as ambassadors representing Crete in the Star City Parade in Lincoln. The Crete High School Hall of Fame was named in their honor. She designed their home on Doane Drive and named the street. Trudy was a member of P.E.O., Fortnightly Club, UMW, and AAUW.

She is survived by her children, Ann Marie (Dan) Bankson, John (Mary Ellen) Reeves, and Thomas Reeves; and five grandchildren; Brandon Bankson, Nathan (MaKayla) Bankson, Mikayla (Eli) Bricker, Luke (Lisa) Reeves, and Ryne (Claire) Reeves, and great grandchildren Annie Reeves, Amelia Reeves and August Bankson. She is also survived by brother-in-law R. Dale Reeves and numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents; and her siblings Maggie (Willis) Kemper, Rev. Fritz (Marge) Nolte, Gus (Dorothy) Nolte, and Meta (Phillip) Hull.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Grace United Methodist Church in Crete. Family visitation will be on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. Memorials may be directed to the Lloyd & Trudy Reeves Crete High School Hall of Fame through the Crete Public Schools Foundation, 930 Main Street, Crete, NE 68333 or to Doane University for the Lloyd & Trudy Reeves Endowed Scholarship to support a Crete athlete attending Doane.

Trudy was a devoted Christian, sang in the choir and taught Sunday School throughout her life and was known for being sweet, gentle and compassionate. Her legacy will live on in the many lives she touched.

Arrangements entrusted to Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete.

Published by Omaha World-Herald on Mar. 8, 2026.