Obituary: Donald and Beverly Reed of Tower and Duluth, Minnesota

Minnesota has lost Don and Beverly Reed. The 64-year love story of Donald William Reed and Beverly Ann Reed, who married in Tower on August 11, 1962, came to an end when Don died on October 28, 2026, and Beverly followed on October 30, 2026.

Both individuals were born in Minnesota and grew up in the Tower area. Don was born on June 6, 1936, in Virginia, Minnesota, and graduated from Tower-Soudan High School in 1954. Beverly was born on April 29, 1939, in Ely, Minnesota, and graduated from Tower-Soudan High School in 1957. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1955 to 1958, Don attended Ely Junior College, and he and Beverly both graduated in 1959. Don later earned an MBA from Central Michigan University in 1971, while Beverly graduated from the College of St. Scholastica in 1961.

A Global Career and Return Home

In 1963, Don began a career with Dow Chemical that would take the family around the world, including Hong Kong and Seoul, South Korea, where he eventually advanced to Human Resources Director for Asia Pacific. Beverly pursued a career as an elementary school teacher, working in Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, and Connecticut. After Don’s retirement, the couple returned to Minnesota and settled near Lake Vermilion. They opened a real estate company in Ely, with Don working as the broker and Beverly as an agent.

Obituary: Donald and Beverly Reed of Tower and Duluth, Minnesota — Photo: doughertyfuneralduluth.com

Reed Family Mourns Their Passing

Don and Beverly Reed are survived by their sons, Charles (Debbie) Reed of Dover, New Hampshire, and Thomas (Karen) Reed of Duluth, Minnesota; their granddaughters Abigail and Brayden Reed; their step-grandsons Matthew and Samuel Kemp; Beverly’s sister, Carol (Lou) Plevell; and many nieces and nephews. They are remembered for the deep bond they shared, their strong religious beliefs, and the cherished moments they shared with family and friends.

Memorial Services

A visitation is scheduled for Friday, November 13, 2026, beginning at 1:00 p.m., with a service to follow at 2:00 p.m. at Dougherty Funeral Home in Duluth, Minnesota. Interment will occur on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Lakeview Cemetery in Tower, Minnesota, and will include Military Honors rendered by the Ely Area Honor Guard.