Donald & Beverly Reed

Donald William Reed was born on June 6, 1936, in Virginia, Minnesota, to Robert and Rose Sarkela Reed. Beverly Ann Reed was born on April 29, 1939, in Ely, Minnesota, to Joseph John Erchul (Krexer) and Margaret C. Knapp Erchul.

Both attended Tower-Soudan High School, with Don graduating in 1954 and Beverly in 1957. Don served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1955 to 1958, operating heavy machinery, before attending Ely Junior College, where they both graduated in 1959. Don later earned his MBA from Central Michigan University in 1971, while Beverly graduated from the College of St. Scholastica in 1961.

They married on August 11, 1962, in Tower. Don had known Beverly since childhood and always remembered her as the girl with the prettiest spit curls. In 1963, Don began his career with Dow Chemical, starting in explosives and eventually advancing to Human Resources Director for Asia Pacific. His career took the family around the world, including Hong Kong and Seoul, South Korea. Beverly pursued her own career as an elementary school teacher, teaching in Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, and Connecticut.

After Don retired, they returned to Minnesota and settled near Lake Vermilion, where they opened a real estate company in Ely. Don worked as the broker and Beverly as an agent. Their lake home became a favorite gathering place for family summers and holidays, especially their Fourth of July celebrations in Tower and Ely, a tradition filled with stories and lasting memories.

Don enjoyed cars, boating, and animals, and spent some summers working as a guide at Lost Lake. Beverly enjoyed cooking and baking, discovering new foods and recipes, and spending time with her Basset Hound, Samantha. They treasured time with their sons and granddaughters, made frequent trips to New Hampshire to visit family, and enjoyed winters in Naples, Florida, before eventually returning to Minnesota to be closer to loved ones.

Don and Beverly are survived by their sons, Charles Reed and his wife, Debbie, of Dover, New Hampshire, and Thomas Reed and his wife, Karen, of Duluth, Minnesota; granddaughters Abigail and Brayden Reed; step-grandsons Matthew and Samuel Kemp; Beverly's sister, Carol Plevell, and her husband, Lou; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Don was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Rose Reed; his brother, Robert Reed; and his sisters, Margaret Haasl and Mae Gross. Beverly was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Margaret Erchul; her sister, Donna Stauber; and her beloved husband, Donald.

Together, Don and Beverly shared 64 years of marriage, and a life filled with family, travel, and adventure. They will be remembered for their devotion to one another, their faith, and the many memories they created with those they loved. They will be deeply missed by all who knew them.

Visitation will be held in Duluth, MN at Dougherty Funeral Home on November 13, 2026, at 1:00pm services starting at 2:00pm. Burials will take place on November 14, 2026, at Lakeview Cemetery in Tower, MN at 11:00am.