Holley Drake Reeves
September 25, 1938 — November 25, 2017
Holley Drake Reeves
Holley Drake Reeves, 79, of Mankato, died Saturday, November 25, 2017 at New Perspectives Senior Living in Mankato.
Brad and his children welcome you to a visitation from 1-3pm, Thursday, November 30, 2017 at Northview ~ North Mankato Mortuary with a service starting at 3pm. Following the service, the children will host a Celebration of Holley’s life at the Mankato Golf Club. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Mayo Hospice of Mankato or the Alzheimer’s Association. Please share a memory of Holley with her family and view her video tribute online at www.mankatomortuary.com.
Holley was born September 25, 1938 in Minneapolis to Guy and Patricia (Weld) Drake, Sr. She graduated from Hopkins High School in 1956. On July 21, 1956, two months shy of her 18th birthday, she was united in marriage to John Bradford “Brad” Reeves at the Little Brown Church in Iowa. After marriage, they moved to San Diego while Brad completed his Marine Corp. basic training. After Brad’s military service, they settled in Minnetonka, MN. Over the next 15 years, her focus was raising her children, and she did this by teaching them to be respectful, well-rounded children. She taught them to have fun and had fun herself, unless it messed up her hair. Never mess with Holley’s hair.
They moved their family to Mankato in 1967 where Brad began working for Kost Ambulance. They purchased the business in 1969 and in 1971 they purchased the Mankato Answering Service. Both of them were very hands on owners; Brad driving the ambulances and tow trucks and Holley managing the office of both companies.
She enjoyed golfing, playing bridge, tennis, softball and spending time with family and friends. She had been active in the DOES since 1971, making many lifelong friends. She declined the opportunity to take on the organizations highest position due to the amount of travel it required, which would mean too much time away from her family. She was a longtime member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Mankato as well as the Mankato Golf Club.
Holley can be described as generous, meticulous, elegant, compassionate, vivacious, poised and kind. She was an outstanding grandma, a classy and beautiful mother, detailed organizer, and wonderful hostess. She’ll be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.
Holley is survived by her husband, Brad of 61 years; sister, MaryPat (Jerry) Manning; brother, Guy (Nancy) Drake, Jr.; sons, John (Penny), Kent (Ann), Bob (Mary), and Dan (Kim); daughter, Mary (Mike Fox); grandchildren, Katie, Christina, Alicia, Jenilee Jessica, Matt, Megan, Jenny, Beth, Nico, Maria, Sophia, Mike, Sheryl, Alexis, Landon and Ethan; 28 great-grandchildren; as well as many other extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Judy and grandson, Alexander.
A very special thank you to the staff of both Mayo Hospice and New Perspectives Senior Living.
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