Brent Lee Reed

Brent Reed ended life as he lived it, with an indomitable soul and impressive optimism and battling until his last breath.

Early Monday, Feb. 16, 2015, Brent died of cancer at the age of 57 surrounded by family and loved ones, at his brother Scott's home in Marshall.

Brent was a free spirit, had the gift of gab, and always approached life on his own terms. He didn't want a funeral. Instead, as the end drew near Brent held a life celebration in Marshall, It was telling that so many relatives, friends, and classmates from most aspects of his life celebrated with him.

Theater was one of Brent's great loves. He may well have made a career of it, had it not been for his marginal singing voice. If he wasn't on stage performing, chances are he had built the stage, or did both. Brent spoke of the theater and his love of music with more passion than anything else.

Brent helped build sets for stage shows throughout the Midwest, including APT in Spring Green. Brent also enjoyed coaching little league baseball His last job was in maintenance at UW-Madison, the school where he attended college in the town where he spent most of his adult life. Madison's liberal politics formed Brent's views of which he had many.

Brent was born in Springfield, Illinois. His family moved to Marshall in 1969 where he graduated in 1975. In school Brent played football, baseball, basketball, and was in drama. In a show of "senior power" and atop his motorcycle, Brent led a parade of cars filled with classmates that arrived just in time for classes the first day of their senior year.

When Brent and his classmates were young, life seemed like a river, flowing belly full with refreshing water and never-ending days. It seemed like the good times would never end and as though that river of life would never run dry. But life didn't turn out the way many in the Class of '75 envisioned. Part of Brent's legacy, however, will be how he not only strengthened the bond between his relatives but how he reunited classmates and re-stoked their friendships.

Rest in peace, dear classmate and friend, cousin and uncle, brother and son.

Survivors include: His Mother Sandy Reed, Brother Scott (Cari) Reed, Sister Stacey (Mike) Seibert, and many nieces and nephews, aunts uncles.

Brent was preceded in death by his Father Robert Reed

We will be holding a memorial for Brents ashes this spring in Springfield, Ill. In lieu of flowers a donation can be made in care of Scott Reed 5895 Lochinvars Tr. Marshall, Wi. 53559.