Mary Elizabeth Reiman

Mary Elizabeth Reiman, 78, of La Crosse, died Sunday, April 29, 2018. Mary was born March 3, 1940, in La Crosse to Fred and Betty Reiman.

Mary graduated from Aquinas High School and received a Bachelor’s degree in Library Science from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minn. Mary’s first job as a librarian was in Green Bay, Wis. She then moved to Wallingford, Conn., where she worked in the public library as a Children’s Librarian. Next, Mary moved to Atlanta, Ga., where she earned a Masters of Library Science degree from Atlanta University. After that, Mary worked as a Children’s Librarian for the Minneapolis, Minn. Public School System for more than ten years. Her next job took her to the Biloxi, Miss., public library system as a Reference Librarian. Mary then worked as a librarian at Fort Belvoir in Alexandria, Va. Her last position was as a librarian for the Office of General Counsel of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, DC.

Mary retired in 2000 and moved back to La Crosse. She continued her long-time involvement with the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Mary loved the activities of her Red Hat Club and of Learning in Retirement. Naturally, Mary loved to read and belonged to a number of book groups. She was a Friend of the Library here in La Crosse as well as a volunteer at the La Crosse Humane Society. Although she loved dogs, apartment living allowed only cats as pets, and Mary learned to love them too. Mary was a Green Bay Packer fan and wore her cheesehead proudly.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Betty; brothers, Tony Reiman and John Reiman; brother-in-law, David Hyson; nephew, Caleb Nieman; and great-nephew, Samuel Van Eperen.

Mary is survived by one brother, Steve Reiman (Mary); four sisters, Margaret Hyson, Kathy Reiman, Laurie Stoneman (Pete) and Lisa Reiman-Strand (Marc Strand). Mary is also survived by multiple generations of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Mary was always very interested in hearing what her nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews were doing in their lives. She cared about all of them a   great deal.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 5 ^th , at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Ave. So., La Crosse. Deacon Richard Sage will officiate. A reception will follow immediately after the service at the Moose Lodge. Family and friends may call from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. Memorials may be directed to the Coulee Region Human Society or the La Crosse Public Library System.