Lora "Lori" Reese

 A private memorial service will be held  for Lora Nicole “Lori” Reese, 51, of Marshall at 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, November 29, 2022.  Lori died unexpectedly on Saturday, November 19, 2022 in Marshall.  Zoom invitation:  https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/95233697719  Meeting ID:  952 3369 7719 Passcode:  934124

Lora Nicole “Lori” Reese was born on July 28, 1971, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, to David and Patricia Reese.  When she was three years old, she moved with her family to Venice Florida where she grew up and graduated from high school.  Lori obtained her Bachelor’s, Master and Ph.D. degrees from the University of South Florida.  While living in Venice, she had her two children:  Erika and Brandon Walker.  She worked for the Sarasota County School system in the Special Education field for 17 years while working on her degrees.  She also worked for one year in Utica, NY, as she completed her Ph.D.  First, she worked as a paraprofessional and later as a teacher. 

Lori had a passion for helping those in need.  She enjoyed teaching special education students and later teaching future special education teachers.  She also enjoyed working with her student’s parents.  Lori was also a dog lover, especially a couple of pets that were her closest companions through challenging times.  She was a woman of strong faith and a follower of Christ.  She also loved to cook and was very creative in the kitchen.  Lori loved to travel and experience new places including a recent trip to Wales.  She loved Great Britain and following her family history. 

On November 13, 2021, she was married to Bruce Steves at Southwest Minnesota State University.  The couple enjoyed an outdoor wedding with a light snow on a magical day.  They had recently moved to Marshall where Lori accepted a role as an Assistant Professor in the Special Education Department.

Lori died suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at her residence in Marshall.

She is survived by her husband, Bruce Steves, of Marshall; children Erika Walker of Venice, FL, and Brandon Walker, currently stationed in Hawaii; parents David and Patricia Reese of Venice, FL; her second family Sarabeth Steves Smith (husband Kevin), Natalee Hines (husband Joshua); grandchildren Rowan, James and Chloe; siblings Chris Reese and sister-in-law Theresa Reese.